CMA, Nashville university commit to leading the global mental health revolution, tap industry leader Debbie Carroll for endowed position
Belmont University announced today a $3 million gift from the Country Music Association (CMA) to support the launch of the Center for Mental Health in Entertainment, a first-of-its-kind initiative to address the critical need for mental health research, education and community resources in the entertainment industry.
From the grant, $1 million will go toward programming and $2 million will create the CMA endowed chair & executive director position, which will be filled by local industry leader Debbie Carroll, whose three-decade career has focused on driving meaningful change at the intersection of entertainment, mental health and social impact. Additionally, the latter $2 million will be matched by the Johnson Academic Challenge at Belmont, an innovative matching program funded by Belmont Board Chair Milton Johnson and his wife Denice, to create up to 20 endowed professorships.
“We are grateful for industry leaders in our community like the Country Music Association who also care deeply about the health and well-being of the entertainment industry,” shared Dr. Greg Jones, University president. “The programming and endowed position made possible by their generous gift will ensure positive change and solidify CMA and country music’s legacy of transforming industry culture.”
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said, “As a trade association, it’s our responsibility to care for the people who make this industry thrive. Supporting their well-being has always been central to CMA’s mission, and through years of investments and partnerships, we’ve seen how access to care can change lives. This collaboration with Belmont allows us to take that support a step further—transforming advocacy into meaningful, long-term change. With a leader like Debbie Carroll guiding this work, we’re helping ensure a stronger, healthier music community for generations to come.
Despite the important work of various mental health organizations, significant gaps persist in the entertainment industry, including a lack of foundational research on the mental health and wellness of the entertainment industry and a limited understanding of the industry’s cultural nuances, as well as widespread confusion about available resources for the community. To address these challenges, the University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business and College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (which is home to master’s and doctoral programs in mental health counseling and bachelor’s and master’s in social work, among others) are partnering to launch the Center for Mental Health in Entertainment, which will serve both students and industry professionals.
Carroll is the ideal person to bring the vision to life. As a licensed clinical social worker, Carroll brings extensive industry knowledge through her most recent position as VP for Entertainment and Specialized Services with Onsite Entertainment and following a nearly 24-year stint as VP of Health and Human Services for MusiCares. As the CMA Endowed Chair and Executive Director, Carroll will guide the Center’s strategy and impact and serve as a professor of practice with a joint appointment in both colleges. Through this role, she will lead a team to develop community resources, workshops and triage services and to develop curricula that will shape the next generation of mentally resilient entertainment professionals, as well as the counselors who serve them. The Executive Director will also work to generate original, data-driven insights into the mental health experience of those working in music, film, television, sports and media, all with the aim of developing clear and effective strategies for a thriving creative ecosystem.
“I’m honored to step into this role and help lead a transformative initiative that places mental health at the heart of the entertainment industry,” said Carroll. “This Center represents a powerful opportunity to build a culture of care, resilience and innovation for artists and professionals across music, film, television and beyond. With Belmont’s deep commitment, and CMA’s visionary support, we’re poised to make a lasting impact, starting in Nashville and reaching far beyond.”
Curb College Dean Brittany Schaffer echoed the need to change culture to advance mental health in the entertainment industry. She stated, “Our partners, like CMA, know a thriving entertainment industry begins with healthy, supported individuals connected by community. This center will invest in today’s leaders and creators, prepare the next generation to confidently navigate challenges, and serve as a model for how our industry can care for its own. Debbie Carroll has long been the trusted voice on mental health in entertainment—her wisdom, compassion and proven leadership have shaped the vision for this Center from the spark of the idea, and I have every confidence in her as our inaugural CMA Endowed Chair & Executive Director. With Debbie at the helm, we have the opportunity to forever change culture.”
Sharrel Pinto, dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, added, “With mental health challenges reaching epidemic levels — particularly in the entertainment industry — there is an urgent need to prepare the next generation with tools for self-care, equip counselors to meet the industry’s unique demands, and close gaps in care through research and innovative practice models. Our college has a research and practice arm that was created with the intention to partner with our community, advance whole-person care and shape practices that elevate human potential. By bringing together experts in behavioral health, rehabilitation sciences, pharmacy, and wellness, and through our partnership with CURB and those in the community already doing a lot of this meaningful work, we are uniquely positioned to bridge healthcare and entertainment in ways that can extend far beyond Middle Tennessee—impacting our nation and the world.”
Along with aiming to change industry culture, Belmont intends to create a model for other universities to replicate nationwide. With CMA’s support, the ultimate goal of the Center for Mental Health in Entertainment is to lead a global mental health revolution in entertainment.
The new Center for Mental Health in Entertainment will be part of the Curb College Music Row campus, with the next phase encompassing the construction of a facility behind the existing Music Row footprint, which opened in August of this year. To learn more, visit www.curbcollegeonmusicrow.com.