About Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD)

Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD) is an Australian not-for-profit organisation supporting young people aged 14–24 who are experiencing mental health challenges, disengagement, trauma, and social isolation. Founded over 20 years ago, MMAD uses music as an engagement tool and mentoring as its relational support model to help young people build connection, confidence, and purpose. Our programs are trauma-informed, strengths-based, and youth-centred, reaching over 3,000 young people annually through a suite of creative mentoring initiatives.

Why Does MMAD Exist?

MMAD exists because the statistics demand it.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for young people in Australia.
In 2024, suicide accounted for nearly 16% of all young deaths.
One in three teenagers has experienced suicidal thoughts.
One in four young women aged 14 to 17 has engaged in self-harm.
Rates of anxiety and depression among secondary school students have not improved since the pandemic years, with 40 to 50 percent reporting high levels of disengagement and falling hope.

Behind every one of those numbers is a young person who needed someone to show up for them. MMAD exists to be that someone. We use music as the engagement tool and mentoring as the relational model, because we know that before a young person can re-engage with school, employment, or community, they need to believe they are worth fighting for.

Reaching over 19,000 young people annually across Australia, MMAD exists because every young person deserves someone who believes in them, and because that belief, consistently offered, changes everything.

What Do We Do?

MMAD uses music as a gateway and mentoring as the bridge. Through a suite of trauma-informed, youth-centred programs delivered throughout Australia, we meet young people exactly where they are, offering creative expression, consistent relationships with trusted adults, alternative education pathways, and wraparound wellbeing support. We don't wait for young people to be ready for traditional systems. We build the foundation that makes everything else possible.

Contact the host of The MMAD Closing Party @ SXSW Sydney

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