Phelps’ donation will expand Talkspace’s offering by an additional 500 months of free therapy to help nurses, doctors, social workers, first responders and more access mental health services.
Talkspace, the global leader in digital behavioral health, today announces a donation from Michael Phelps that will go towards the company’s ongoing initiative of providing 1,000 months of free therapy to frontline medical workers. Phelps’ contribution graciously adds 500 additional months of therapy for those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic to access mental health care at a time where they are experiencing heightened stress and anxiety.
Effective as of March 19th, frontline medical workers nationwide can access a free month of online therapy via Talkspace’s Unlimited Messaging Plus plan, which includes unlimited text, video and audio messaging with a licensed therapist. To sign up, healthcare workers can register via the app (Google Play or App Store) or website by providing their NPI or employee ID and state of residence for verification. Once verified, they will gain access to Talkspace’s Unlimited Messaging Plus plan.
“I’m proud to be a part of something that is helping the superheroes of today, our medical workforce, take care of themselves as they are giving everything to take care of others right now,” says Phelps. “While so many things feel uncertain and out of our control, it is important that we take care of our mental health. Therapy is an ongoing process for me and Talkspace is an important part of my mental health routine, and my hope is the platform can do the same for the thousands of medical professionals facing unimaginable realities right now.”
Phelps’ donation joins hundreds of others from Talkspace’s network of therapists who have donated additional free months, which Talkspace has matched. Collectively, Talkspace has been able to provide over 2,100 free months of therapy, amounting to 175 years of ongoing mental health care for those who need it most right now.
“Michael has always been an admirable partner in helping to destigmatize mental health by sharing his story, and encourage others to experience the benefits of speaking to a therapist,” says Oren Frank, Talkspace CEO and co-founder. “We are so grateful for his generous donation, as it directly impacts the number of medical workers who can receive mental health support right now.”
Talkspace has also opened free tools to provide COVID-19 support and guidance including therapist-led Facebook support groups and a COVID-19 channel on its Instagram account where people can ask its therapists questions related to coronavirus using the “Questions” feature on Instagram Stories. The company has created a 16-day coronavirus program, which has been incorporated to each Talkspace subscription, and is now integrated with Amazon Alexa devices.
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