Belmont Center For Mental Health Taps Leadership, Receives Multi-Million Dollar Investment From CMA

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Debbie Carroll.

Belmont University is launching a new Center for Mental Health in Entertainment with support from a $3 million grant from the Country Music Association.

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.

The latter $2 million will be matched by the Johnson Academic Challenge at Belmont, an 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,” shares 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.”

“As a trade association, it’s our responsibility to care for the people who make this industry thrive,” adds CMA CEO Sarah Trahern. “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.”

Carroll is a licensed clinical social worker who most recently served 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. In her new position, she will guide the Center’s strategy and impact and serve as a Professor of Practice, with a joint appointment in both the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Curb College Of Entertainment & Music Business.

“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,” adds 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.”

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.

In addition to the Belmont University donation, CMA has renewed its financial support to aid five organizations delivering essential mental health services across the music industry in 2026 including Amber Health, ECCHO Live, Music Health Alliance, MusiCares and Porter’s Call.

Lauryn Sink
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