Depression and mental health issues are a plague that can affect everyone without discrimination. Talk of mental health is common, but what are not common are resources available to help. Nuçi’s Space in downtown Athens is a non-profit organization aimed at ending the epidemic of suicide.
Nuçi’s Space focuses on musicians, but is a space available for anyone and everyone. Nuçi’s takes old music equipment, refurbishes, resells, rents, and then uses the profit to advocate for suicide prevention within the community.
“Everything we do here funds that mission, and provides access to counseling, psychiatric services, and other forms of mental healthcare. We don’t deny access to anyone, our mission includes everyone.” – Adam Wayton, Nuci’s Space’
s Operations and Facilities Manager
Not only does Nuçi’s Space prioritize mental health, but the non-profit caters to physical health as well. Nuçi’s offers free health clinics that are available to people who are uninsured. Upcoming clinics will be hosted at Nuçi’s space on Feb. 27, March 13, and March 27. Nuçi’s offers a variety of other health service pop-ups and options, that only require scheduling an appointment. Wayton says that, “We work with MusiCares to provide dentistry, earplugs, and things like that.”
Nuçi’s Space has a wide outreach within not only the music community, but also the general Athens area. Through their use of varied programs, they can affect change. One program that Nuçi’s is currently offering is their Question Persuade and Refer training. QPR is a free certification program. Wayton says, “We work with businesses, restaurants, departments at schools, and any groups that want to learn about this.” This course is a proven reduction of suicide and is offered to nearly everyone who wants to learn about it.
For musicians, Nuçi’s offers many different services. They both sell and rent equipment, teach youth programs, have a recording studio, and practice space. The times and rates for these spaces are accommodating to those who may keep different hours. The spaces are open from noon to midnight seven days a week, with late night options available upon request. They even rent out equipment and items for roughly three dollars an hour, and the practice rooms for around eight dollars an hour. Their recording studio, Amplify, is available with a sound engineer for a day rate of roughly $150.
One of the most successful programs is Camp Amped, a summer and after school program for middle and high school students. “Camp Amped gave me a place where, for the first time, I could see that there were likeminded people. This realization allowed me to make friendships that have lasted me most of my life now,” said Brennan Murphy, a former UNG student.
