Continuing JWF’s mission to support local musicians and music industry workers as they navigate health-related challenges, the JWF Musician Health & Services Program is now offering our Music Makers Support Group– a free and safe space to talk about the unique life challenges faced in the music industry that impact various dimensions of personal wellness. Group members can connect with peers and a pre-licensed mental health professional to share experiences, guidance, and resources in a supportive and community-oriented environment.

This group is needed because it can help musicians and industry workers address economic precarity, creative vulnerability, mental health challenges, isolation, and fragmented workplaces by building community-based systems of care rooted in shared experience. Freelancers have limited institutional support – peer networks can fill this support gap. Music culture can sometimes reward toughness, relentless productivity, and “hustle” mentality. Workers may feel pressure to appear successful and resilient, even when struggling. Peer spaces allow people to drop the performance persona, and collectively improve overall health and well-being.

Hosted by Kyleen King.

Kyleen has been active in the Portland music scene since 2009. As a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, she works as a session player, touring and local performer, arranger, composer, producer, and teacher. She recently completed bachelor's and master's degrees in social work, and is on track to becoming a licensed therapist. She intends to work with musicians and creatives to improve their mental health and well-being. Kyleen is on the board of the Local 99 Musicians Union and chairs their Mental Health Committee, a group that provides and advocates for mental health and resource support for its members and the local music community.

The Music Makers Support Group is open to to professional and semi-professional musicians and music industry workers who are at least 18 years old, and reside in Oregon or Clark County, Washington.

Schedule

Virtual meetings Wednesdays from 7-8:30pm PST

May 6, 2026
May 13, 2026
May 20 2026
May 27, 2026

REGISTER TODAY USING THE FORM BELOW