With the arrival of spring, Austin prepares every year for its highly anticipated South By Southwest (SXSW) festival of art, music, technology, and creativity. With various venues spread out across the bustling streets of Austin, SXSW offers visitors from across Texas and Austinites access to exclusive film expositions, music performances, comedy shows, and featured keynote speakers.
This year, speakers and artists are showcasing their thought-provoking films, research, and discussions at SXSW in over 85 events related to mental health, trauma, depression, and innovative treatments. With over 43% of Texans experiencing anxiety and depression, SXSW is a much-needed avenue to spread mental health awareness and encourage research for effective treatments.
Read: Music Festivals for Neurodivergents: 6 Soothing Tips to Avoid Overstimulation
Our top 10 mental health picks at SXSW
With so many events taking place from March 8-16, it’s reasonable to feel overwhelmed by the choices. If you don’t want you to miss out on some exciting insights from the industry, we have you covered. That’s why we put together a list of our top ten mental health-related events at SXSW in 2024 that we’re most excited for.
In no particular order:
1. Creativity Unleashed: How to Turn Big Anxiety into Big Ideas
Feeling anxious about getting your art right? Will Cady, author and KarmaLab’s founding head, reveals how anxiety fuels creativity. Drawing from his expertise in leading creative teams and meditation guidance, he offers a novel approach to nurturing creativity. This session merges insights from art, marketing, and spirituality to explore the origins of creation and our role in it. — See event page
Read: 9 Journaling Strategies to Relieve Stress & Boost Self-Awareness
2. Music is Medicine: Harmonize Healing with Therapeutics & VR
Discover music’s therapeutic power with experts in digital therapeutics, music, and immersive tech. Learn how gaming companies and artists are collaborating to leverage music for healing and tackling the global mental health crisis. Featuring artist Shakey Graves and leaders from Meta, Tripp, and Universal Music, this session envisions the future of music as medicine. — See event page
Read: How To Cope in Times of Crisis
3. DanceMedicine: A Doctor’s Rx for Joy, Movement & Healing
Dance is unique in its ability to help prevent neurodegenerative diseases. Yet, societal pressures often discourage us from dancing. As a mind-body health physician, Geeta Maker-Clark recommends dance to her patients and leads workshops to rediscover the joy and health benefits of dance. In this “playshop,” you’ll explore the science of dance’s impact and then dive into a joyful, music-filled dance session that can help you experience joy and body connection. — See event page
Read: How to Start Exercising for Your Mental Health (Even When You Don’t Want To)
4. Five Ways to Improve Well-Being in the Workplace: Emerging Trends from the Science of Happiness
Amidst AI advancements, economic shifts, and job uncertainty, maintaining mental health at work is crucial. Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale Professor and host of The Happiness Lab podcast, offers 5 research-backed strategies for enhancing well-being and emotional resilience in today’s evolving workplace. — See event page
Read: Mind Over Money: 6 Strategies to Relieve Financial Stress
5. Food, Pleasure, and Emotional Well-Being
Mary Beth Albright, author and journalist, explores the latest research on food’s role in emotional health, such as the impact of weight-loss injectables on “thin privilege” and how probiotics can boost antidepressants’ effectiveness. Explore the significance of food pleasure in enhancing your overall well-being in this talk. — See event page
Read: 5 Tips for Managing Emotional Eating and Breaking the Cycle
6. It’s Not You: Navigating & Healing From Toxic Relationships
The new book, “It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People” moves beyond defining narcissism to actionable advice for those affected. This book addresses the impact of narcissistic relationships on personal identity, safety, and emotional well-being. With terms like narcissism and gaslighting widespread yet often misunderstood, this session aims to clarify, heal, and end self-blame for the actions of others. — See event page
Read: A Love Letter to People Pleasers
7. The Empowered Patient: Developing a Taste for Depression
Join a panel of experts to discuss a revolutionary approach to objectively measuring depression that combines ethnography, service design, and clinical co-design. Learn how mood and behavior’s correlation with flavor detection can transform depression treatment, breaking down taboos and fostering equal dialogues between patients and care teams for more successful outcomes. — See event page
Read: How can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) help Depression?
8. Nothing About Us Without Us – Patient-Driven Autism Research
As Autistic people are sharing their experiences, they reveal gaps between their perspectives and those of non-autistic professionals. This panel unites autism specialists and Autistic adults to explore how these insights can shape future research and interventions. The speakers will address challenges and chances for aligning clinical trials with the real needs and goals of the neurodivergent community. — See event page
Read: Listen Like a Therapist: How To Support Loved Ones With Mental Health Conditions
9. Can Video Games Treat Mental Health? The Power of Play
Join DeepWell DTx’s Ryan Douglas, Vince Kadlubek (Meow Wolf founder), Ryan Hartsell (Emmy-winning Immersive Experience Director), and Dr. Sam Browd (CNS Innovator of the Year 2021) to explore “immersive medicine.” This discussion will cover therapeutic game mechanics, their brain effects, the need for cross-sector collaboration, and the potential of play to address major accessibility and healthcare challenges. — See event page
Read: Battle Depression with the Hero’s Journey
10. Redefining Minds: Technology’s Dual Role in Mental Health
This panel explores technology’s dual role in mental health: as a stressor through omnipresent connectivity and poor design, and as a source of hope with innovations like teletherapy and AI apps. Discover the challenges and opportunities in leveraging technology for better mental well-being and envision a future where digital tools promote balance and health. — See event page
Read: In-Person vs. Online Therapy: Is Virtual Counseling Effective?
Start feeling better with our virtual therapy for Texas residents
SXSW offers a unique convergence of art, technology, and science that creates new pathways to understanding and improving your emotional well-being. If you’re navigating the complexities of emotional wellness or seeking new strategies to heal from trauma, depression, anxiety, or other conditions, consider reaching out for professional help.
For guidance through your current challenges and tools for the future, connect with our therapists at Austin Anxiety and Trauma Specialists. Request a consultation today and we’ll match you to a therapist who can customize a treatment plan best for your needs. Whatever you’re going through, it can get better. We can help.
