In a significant move to enhance mental health support for professional tennis players, Talkspace, a prominent online behavioral health care provider, has partnered with the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA). This collaboration designates Talkspace as the exclusive mental health technology partner for the PTPA, offering players, their families, and support teams complimentary, round-the-clock access to Talkspace’s self-guided therapy app, Talkspace Go, along with discounted rates for its virtual therapy services.
Natalie Cummins, Chief Business Officer of Talkspace, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to collaborate with the PTPA as their exclusive mental health provider. Our goal is to deliver high-quality, evidence-based mental health support precisely when and where players need it. This partnership highlights our dedication to promoting mental well-being and ensuring that mental health resources are accessible and convenient for everyone involved.”
Ahmad Nassar, Executive Director of the PTPA, emphasized the unique challenges faced by professional tennis players, such as constant travel and the pressures of an individual sport, which often make it difficult to prioritize mental health. “With Talkspace, we can now offer holistic and consistent support for players’ well-being, not just during tournaments but throughout the entire year. This partnership is a vital addition to our PTPA Mental Fitness Program and our comprehensive player health and wellness services,” Nassar noted.
Eligible professional tennis players, along with their family members aged 13 and above and support teams, will benefit from one year of free access to Talkspace Go. This online self-guided mental health support program provides personalized therapy courses and live, on-demand virtual classes led by therapists. Additionally, players can opt for individual, couples, or teen therapy, connecting with a dedicated, licensed therapist anytime, anywhere. They can pay using insurance or receive a $100 discount on their first month if paying out of pocket.
This partnership with Talkspace complements the PTPA’s expanding array of player health and wellness services. Earlier in 2024, the PTPA introduced its innovative medical network program, PTPA MedNet, and launched its Mental Fitness Program to support players’ on-court mental strategies. The organization remains committed to developing new programs that prioritize players’ holistic health and safety, aligning with its mission to protect and advance players worldwide.
About Talkspace
Talkspace stands as a leading virtual behavioral healthcare provider, dedicated to helping individuals lead healthier, happier lives by providing access to high-quality mental healthcare. The company believes that mental healthcare is integral to overall health and should be accessible to everyone.
Talkspace pioneered the concept of texting with a licensed therapist from any location and now offers a comprehensive range of mental health services. These include therapy for individuals, teens, and couples, as well as psychiatric treatment and medication management. Members are matched with one of thousands of licensed therapists within days and can participate in live video, audio, or chat sessions, along with unlimited asynchronous text messaging sessions.
All services provided by Talkspace are delivered through a user-friendly, fully-encrypted web and mobile platform that complies with HIPAA, federal, and state regulatory requirements. Over 151 million Americans have access to Talkspace through their health insurance plans, employee assistance programs, partnerships with leading healthcare companies, or as a free benefit through their employer, school, or government agency.
About the Professional Tennis Players Association
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) is a global organization that unites and empowers tennis players to promote transparency and fairness in professional tennis. As an independent entity, the PTPA is committed to advancing and safeguarding the rights of professional men’s and women’s tennis players throughout their careers. By focusing on critical aspects such as health and safety, schedules, rules, purses, benefits, and education, the PTPA aims to create an equitable and sustainable competitive environment for current and future generations of players. Headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area, the PTPA operates on a global scale.