Erich Joseph, Senior Researcher, Clubcommission Berlin
Katharin Ahrend, Music Professional, Berlin Germany (she/they/katharin – preferred: no pronouns)
Melissa Kolukisagil, Music Professional, Berlin Germany (she/they)
Title: Mental Health in Clubs
Keywords: mental health, resilience, diversity, inclusion, nightlife
Panel Abstract: The nightlife industry is not only a space of cultural expression but also one that faces distinct challenges in terms of mental health, resilience, and creating inclusive, safer environments. This panel, featuring experts from Clubcommission Berlin, will explore actionable strategies to tackle these issues, using research-driven insights and practical initiatives to support mental health and diversity. The session will include three 15-minute presentations (Mental Health in Clubs, Awareness Akademi, Diversity Friendly Go Out), followed by a moderated discussion. Following these presentations, a moderated discussion will engage with the broader challenges local club scenes face in promoting mental health, inclusion, and resilience. The discussion will focus on practical applications of these strategies, providing professionals in the music industry, researchers, and musicians tools to create safer, more inclusive spaces that prioritize well-being and diversity.
Individual Abstract: This research pilot Mental Health in Clubs, initiated in 2023, addresses the unique mental health challenges encountered by club staff and artists. Presenting results from the Mental Health Club Study 2023, Erich will discuss psychosocial interventions designed to enhance the resilience of those working in nightlife, who often face stress due to irregular hours, boundary issues, and emotional demands. The project also focuses on fostering safer spaces by equipping clubs with tools to support the well-being of their staff and attendees.
Title: Awareness, Akademie & Clubs Study 2021
Keywords: mental health, resilience, diversity, inclusion, nightlife
Panel Abstract: The nightlife industry is not only a space of cultural expression but also one that faces distinct challenges in terms of mental health, resilience, and creating inclusive, safer environments. This panel, featuring experts from Clubcommission Berlin, will explore actionable strategies to tackle these issues, using research-driven insights and practical initiatives to support mental health and diversity. The session will include three 15-minute presentations (Mental Health in Clubs, Awareness Akademi, Diversity Friendly Go Out), followed by a moderated discussion. Following these presentations, a moderated discussion will engage with the broader challenges local club scenes face in promoting mental health, inclusion, and resilience. The discussion will focus on practical applications of these strategies, providing professionals in the music industry, researchers, and musicians tools to create safer, more inclusive spaces that prioritize well-being and diversity.
Individual abstract: Katharin Ahrend will present the efforts of the Awareness Akademie, a platform promoting the development of anti-discriminatory structures in club culture. This presentation will include the results of the Club Study 2021, which highlighted the social and professional challenges faced by marginalized groups within clubs and the work of the Akademie. Its work focuses on inclusion through Diversity Change-Management and awareness training, helping club teams and clubcultural stake holders recognize and address multiple forms of discrimination, fostering inclusive and safer spaces for everyone.
Title: Diversity-Friendly Going out in Berlin
Keywords: mental health, resilience, diversity, inclusion, nightlife
Panel Abstract: The nightlife industry is not only a space of cultural expression but also one that faces distinct challenges in terms of mental health, resilience, and creating inclusive, safer environments. This panel, featuring experts from Clubcommission Berlin, will explore actionable strategies to tackle these issues, using research-driven insights and practical initiatives to support mental health and diversity. The session will include three 15-minute presentations (Mental Health in Clubs, Awareness Akademi, Diversity Friendly Go Out), followed by a moderated discussion. Following these presentations, a moderated discussion will engage with the broader challenges local club scenes face in promoting mental health, inclusion, and resilience. The discussion will focus on practical applications of these strategies, providing professionals in the music industry, researchers, and musicians tools to create safer, more inclusive spaces that prioritize well-being and diversity.
Abstract: Melissa Kolukisagil will introduce this key project, which focuses on building inclusive, non-discriminatory environments in Berlin’s nightlife. By tackling issues such as gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation-based discrimination, this project works to ensure that clubs are safer spaces for all patrons. Melissa will outline practical strategies, including workshops and consultations aimed at supporting diversity-friendly policies across clubs and festivals in Berlin.
Erich Joseph was born in Cali, Colombia but settled in Berlin since 2014 years working in the nightlife since then. Initially as Soundengineer, Promoter, Labelowner and musician. Social Pedagogue specialized in preventive mental health. Since 2020 I am project manager at the Clubcommission. And since 2023 I created and became director of "Mental Health in Clubs" a research pilot program. https://mentalhealthinclubs.de
Katharin Ahrend is a Berlin-based cultural manager, creative producer, consultant and speaker who has been working at the intersection of music, culture and policy, urban development and social justice in Germany and beyond for more than a decade. As one of the Managing Directors of the Berlin Clubcommission e.V, Katharin is currently leading the cultural award and showcase festival TAG DER CLUBKULTUR in Berlin as well as the Awareness Akademie — a project and platform that promotes the development of anti-discriminatory structures within club & festival culture. Beside this, Katharin was a founding member of the global campaign United We Stream, is part of the global network and movement Keychange as well as the current cohort of the European Music Business Task Force.
Melissa Kolukisagil has been active in the music scene for several years and has already taken on a wide variety of roles. After studying political science and alongside her work in political communication, she worked as a freelance booker, night manager and organizer of concerts and club events.
Melissa heads up the project "Diversitygerechtes Ausgehen in Berlin”, a cooperation project between the Clubcommission and Eine Welt der Vielfalt e.V., which allows her to work structurally on what drives her: Making nightlife less discriminatory and the diversity of the cultural landscape more visible.
In 2020, she also launched İÇ İÇE, a project that is very close to her heart, and has since been working on the festival for new Anatolian music, a successful concept that will now take place in Cologne in addition to Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Heidelberg and offers a safer and appreciative space for various disporic communities.