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Melodies and Mental Health

Sims Foundation Executive Director Heather Alden talks about supporting musicians and their families in the Live Music Capital of the World.

The financial and social stressors musicians face can be daunting and isolating, and many suffer from mental-health issues and addiction. If such a musician finds the courage to seek professional help, there can be a lengthy wait and insurmountable costs. The Sims Foundation, led by vivacious Executive Director Heather Alden, hopes to change that scenario in Austin. 

From annual festivals to intimate gigs, this city is synonymous with music.  

“Musicians and the music they play have created a culture that draws individuals and corporations to our city,” Alden says. “Our economy is built on the backs of these musicians. There are a lot of people moving to Austin, and they may not know what live music has done for the city. It feels like a perk, but it’s actually the foundation.”  

Alden’s ambition is infectious as she shares details about Sims’ 20 years in Austin and her success in a community-driven career. 

 

Austin Woman: Tell me about the Sims Foundation. 

Heather Alden: Sims provides mental-health and addiction-recovery services to what we call the Austin music family. Mental-health care is broken in Central Texas. There’s no other service like us out there. We are taking away the mystery of all those processes. 

 
AW: How are you celebrating Sims’ first two decades of success? 

HA: Our anniversary party is called Stargazing. The idea came from looking back at the musicians who have been helped by Sims, like a constellation of our Austin family of musicians. 

 
AW: How does Sims remain financially viable? 

HA: We look to the Austin community to help fund the services that we give to our clients. Our individual donations are approximately 15 percent of our fundraising effort. We receive grants from Central Health and the St. David’s Foundation, as well as our corporate partners around the city. We also have about 30 third-party events every year. 

 
AW: What has been your proudest achievement as executive director?  

HA: Helping conceptualize and implement a partnership with Sendero Health Plans, Central Health, Seton Foundation and Health Alliance for Austin Musicians to give 73 of our clients full health care [last year] through the Affordable Care Act. 

 
AW: What challenge do you want to tackle next year?  

HA: I would like to see us expand services beyond musicians to the music live-production workers. We know that our visual arts and our dance community could use the same services as well. 

 
AW: Describe your journey to this leadership role. 

HA: The thread that connects all the different jobs I have had has been community organizing. The reason I went into nonprofits instead of just getting another job in the business industry was that I wanted to see more integrity in the work that I did. 

 
AW: What advice would you give to early career women interested in pursuing a philanthropic profession?  

HA: We need smart and energetic women to be participants in building a community that we want to live in. 

 
AW: Which Austin musician are you loving right now?  

HA: Davíd Garza is always on rotation, but I’m loving Ashley Monical’s new album, {Facing the Shadow}. 

 

 

About the Sims Foundation 

Twenty years ago, the Sims Foundation was created following the death of Austin musician Sims Ellison. The nonprofit delivers a “Cadillac level of care” by offering timely and affordable mental-health and addiction-recovery services provided by more than 80 individuals and partner organizations. 

 

The Process 

A client calls the Sims confidential line (512.494.1007) and speaks with a licensed counselor, who completes an initial assessment. The client is then matched with a vetted provider, who accepts a reduced rate. Sims covers most of that cost, leaving only a small copay for the client. Without Sims, it can take up to three months to see a psychiatrist, whereas through Sims’ partnership with Seton Mind Institute, a client is often able see a resident physician within one week. 

 

By the Numbers 

– 5,000 clients have benefited from the services Sims provides. 

– 45 percent of clients are women, including musicians and family members. 

– 90 percent of clients surveyed reported improved symptoms and functioning. 

 

Celebrate Sims 

What: Stargazing 20th anniversary party 

Purchase tickets at simsfoundation.org and enjoy live music from the moment you step into the freight elevator to the final sip of your signature cocktail. 

When: Dec. 5 

Where: KLRU Studio 6A, 2504 Whitis Ave. 
(Original home of {Austin City Limits}) 

Hosts: Louis Black (South By Southwest co-founder)
and Sandy Boone 

Music director: Michael Ramos 

Masters of ceremony: Jody Denberg and Elizabeth McQueen 

House band: Michael Ramos, George Reiff, Adrian Quesada, Davíd Garza, Conrad Choucroun 

Headliners: Kyle Ellison, Hunter Sharpe, Davíd Garza, Nina Diaz, Alejandro Escovedo, The Peterson Brothers, Nakia, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Fastball, Patty Griffin, Peter Stopschinski, Chris Layton, Elias Haslanger, Tito Larriva, Lolita

 

Photo by Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon.

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