Many teens today are not okay—that’s the bottom line of both government data and the observations of Talkspace therapists. Per the CDC, 42% of high school students reported feeling very sad or hopeless and 22% seriously considered attempting suicide. In asurvey of Talkspace providerswho work with teens, 63% report that they believe the mental health of high schoolers has gotten worse over the past two years (and only 8% say it has improved).

Free Online Therapyfor NYC teensNow anyoneages 13-17living in New York City has access to Talkspace at no cost.Get Started

Free Online Therapyfor NYC teensNow anyoneages 13-17living in New York City has access to Talkspace at no cost.

Free Online Therapy

Now anyoneages 13-17living in New York City has access to Talkspace at no cost.

Get Started

This first-of-its-kind citywide initiative makes therapy and mental health education available at no cost to any NYC teenager, regardless of income, insurance status, and where or whether they attend school. Here’s how it works:

“Teens love the option of messaging and having daily access to their therapist,” says Talkspace therapist Christine Lamirande, LCMHC.

“Many teens seem more comfortable with messaging therapy—it is different for each teen but the availability of it seems to be comforting for them,” adds Minkyung Chung, MS, LMHC.

The team of Talkspace therapists who are available to work with NYC teens have a wide range of specializations and areas of expertise. They can support those with conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD, and more, and are also available to teens who don’t have a mental health condition and who simply need a private and objective person to talk to about school, relationships, and the stresses of daily life.

New York City is one of the most diverse populations on the planet, and our therapists are diverse too: About 35% of Talkspace’s NY-licensed therapists identify as BIPOC, 30% are either LGBTQIA+ or have experience working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, and they speak 30 different languages (we also can provide real-time translation support in 120 languages).

Although Talkspace is not a suicide prevention or crisis line, our platform does monitor messages in real time to detect signs that a teen might be at risk of self-harm, and alerts the therapist there might be an issue. If needed, we have processes in place to elevate any immediate crisis situation.

Because the teen mental health crisis is as complex as teens themselves, simple solutions don’t exist. But there’s one thing our therapists know for certain: “Teens are vividly clear in stating their wish for more support, attention, understanding—simply, ‘to have someone in their corner’ or ‘have their back’,”  says Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C, LICSW. “This is not ambiguous—teens say it routinely. Their wish amid frustrations is to be heard, but also for someone to take the time to understand.”

Interested in learning how Talkspace can support teen mental health in your school, district, or community?Reach out to learn more.

Sources:Mental Health, Suicidality, and Connectedness Among High School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January–June 2021.CDC. April 2022. Accessed 11/15/2023.The State Of Mental Health In America.Mental Health America. 2023. Accessed 11/15/2023.

Sources:

Mental Health, Suicidality, and Connectedness Among High School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January–June 2021.CDC. April 2022. Accessed 11/15/2023.

The State Of Mental Health In America.Mental Health America. 2023. Accessed 11/15/2023.

Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.

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