Online behavioral healthcare company Talkspace announced it is joining forces with the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) as the player advocates organization's exclusive mental health technology partner.

The aim is to give players, their families and support teams free, 24/7 access to Talkspace’s self-guided therapy app, Talkspace Go, and its virtual therapy offering at a discount.

Eligible professional tennis players 13 and older, their families and support teams will be given one year of free access to Talkspace Go, an online self-guided mental health support program. The program provides personalized therapy courses and live and on-demand virtual classes overseen by therapists.

Additionally, players can sign up for individual, couples or teen therapy with unlimited access to a licensed therapist, which would be covered by insurance. If they opt for individual therapy and pay out-of-pocket, they will receive a $100 discount the first month.

Talkspace’s therapy offerings puts members in touch with thousands of licensed therapists, who can interact via live video, audio, chat sessions or unlimited asynchronous text-messaging sessions.

The sessions are provided via an encrypted web and mobile platform that adheres to HIPAA, federal and state regulatory requirements.

"Professional tennis players face unique challenges such as constant travel, living out of a suitcase year-round and managing the pressures of an individual sport, making it difficult to prioritize mental health," Ahmad Nassar, executive director of the PTPA said in a statement.

"Through Talkspace, we can now support players’ well-being holistically and consistently – not just during tournaments but throughout the entire year. This is an important addition to our PTPA Mental Fitness Program and our player health and wellness services."

THE LARGER TREND

In 2023, the United Soccer League Players Association entered into an agreement with telehealth platform company Onrise to provide a full range of mental health services for players. 

Under the agreement, players have unlimited access to any type of mental health resource. The telehealth platform was selected in order to provide players with flexibility that matches their varied schedules.