Our mission is foster community, dialogue, and action on mental health through the power of music.

Featured In

Why We Exist:

45% of issues related to mental health go unaddressed. The stigma that surrounds mental health is preventing too many from reaching out for the help and support they need.

With over 70% of musicians living with symptoms of anxiety or depression, the musical community is uniquely positioned to elevate the conversation on mental health. Live music has an unparalleled ability to connect to the hearts of others and catalyze change. Musical events strengthen community, build empathy, and most importantly have the capacity to inspire action.

Sound Mind is based on the premise that collectively our voices are stronger, and that by amplifying artists who are speaking openly about their mental health, we can elevate the conversation and build a community and culture that breaks the stigma that exists today.

ARTISTS ARE UNIQUE INFLUENCERS

73% of musicians live with mental health issues. They are uniquely positioned influencers who can catalyze social change on mental health stigma.

NEED TO REACH A YOUNGER GENERATION

Millennials and Gen Z report depression in higher numbers than any previous generation.

MUSIC CAN CONNECT

Music has the unique ability to connect to the hearts of others to create empathy, foster community, and inspire social change.

Our Pillars

Build community & empathy

by elevating the stories of artists speaking out about mental health

Help those with mental health issues

by raising awareness & funding for critical mental health services

Inspire action for change

by encouraging our audience to reach out to loved ones, or seek mental health services themselves

The Team

Chris Bullard | Executive Director +

A former touring musician, Chris performed with acts such as Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. Subsequent to receiving his MBA, Chris oversaw portfolio management at Acumen, a global non-profit impact investing fund focused on poverty alleviation. Chris founded Sound Mind based on personal experience overcoming mental health stigma after he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in his mid-twenties. Prior to founding Sound Mind, Chris also founded a music support program for those affected by mental illness with National Alliance on Mental Illness in New York City. Chris holds a BA from University of Southern California and an MBA from Fordham University.

Ally Marcus | Programs Director +

Ally is a social worker with past experience working with several different nonprofit organizations including the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem and the American Red Cross. Prior to pursuing a career in social work, she also worked in the music industry for several years in royalties and income tracking at Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust, and Kobalt Music Publishing and in marketing at Warner Music Group. She obtained her MSW from Columbia University and her Bachelors in Film Production and Music Business from the University of Miami.

Ninell Silberberg | Marketing Director +

Ninell has lead strategic marketing campaigns for a diverse group of live music and entertainment companies including AEG and The Bowery Presents. She has promoted concerts in venues across North America and has grown audiences for some of the biggest and most loved bands in the world including The Rolling Stones, Elton John, The National, and Radiohead. Her work spans traditional and digital marketing, partnerships, and experiential activations. Ninell has volunteered with other music focused non-profits, most recently with NYC Nightlife United. She holds a BA from The George Washington University and an MA from NYU.

Ashish Sharma | Director of Fundraising +

Ashish has helped lead fundraising efforts for major institutions such as New York University and Stanford University. Through these activities he has secured partnerships with organizations like Citi, Google, Facebook, and Boeing. Ashish also helped lead the development of UCLA’s “Mighty Mic” – a benefit concert event that hosts thousands on UCLA’s campus each year.

Michael Rublin | Advocacy Program Manager +

Mike formerly worked for Mental Health Association of NYC. Later as a geriatric social worker, he developed innovative Music & Memory and Music & Meditation programs to help older generations with isolation, stress and cognitive abilities - leading support groups and education on a variety of topics related to mental health.

Abby has spearheaded social media campaigns at MTV, RYOT Studio and Google Earth, promoting everything from cover stories about Migos and The 1975 to a tool that measures carbon emissions in major cities worldwide. While she's worked in the fields of tech and entertainment, her first love is music. She's been deeply involved in live music events ranging from helping develop digital strategy for the MTV Video Music Awards to interviewing up-and-coming artists at the CMJ Music Marathon.

Dani Slocki | Director of Partnerships +

Dani is an Emmy-nominated & award-winning Creative Director & Producer garnering buzz & generating sales for her partners through unique & boundary-pushing branded activations & campaigns for IRL, digital, & virtual audiences. For 15+ years, she has been ideating & producing events, PR stunts, digital content, & strategic collaborations for brands, agencies, festivals, & celebrities such as L’Oréal, Live Nation, Atlantic Records, Wyclef Jean, Erykah Badu, Kanye West, Samsung, Airbnb, TBS, MKG, Huge Inc, Heineken, Bacardi, Tinder, & more. She is also the founder of the Brooklyn-based art collective Prophets Over Profits which focuses on uplifting marginalized femme voices through curated experiences and transparent fundraising initiatives.