NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Today Sigma Kappa Sorority and Talkspace, the global leader in online therapy, announced a partnership to provide online therapy to members of the Sorority's 120-plus chapters across 36 states, enabling students to connect with Talkspace's licensed therapists from the convenience of their smartphones. The collaboration brings a modern and student-friendly mental health solution to select colleges across the nation as a new term starts, and in a time when anxiety and depression levels are on the rise among college students.
Mental health on college campuses has already been widely reported as a crisis across the US. A recent study by the National Alliance on Mental Illness found that 64 percent of students that dropped out of college did so because of a mental health condition. Also, an analysis conducted by the Center for Collegiate Mental Health* uncovered that half of students who sought counseling last school year reported suffering from depression. Anxiety was even more common, affecting 62 percent of students seeking counseling. Sigma Kappa is the first national sorority to partner with Talkspace to provide text therapy for their members. Recently, both Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and Delta Tau Delta Fraternity announced that they are providing Talkspace therapy to their brothers on campus.
Sigma Kappa is at the forefront of improving student mental health by breaking down the stigma of therapy and providing it to members of the on-campus fraternity/sorority community. Through partnerships with organizations like Talkspace, Sigma Kappa sends a strong message that access to mental health resources on campus should be a right for all students. After being matched with a therapist in less than 24 hours, students on Talkspace can text or send audio or video messages to their therapist at their convenience.
"As Sigma Kappa's collegiate members enter a new term, we want to prepare them to deal with the stresses of college life. Knowing that they have this resource to start the year gives them an opportunity to begin their studies positively, with ample support, and in a way that complements the college lifestyle," said Talkspace's Lynn Hamilton. "The lack of access to mental health support and resources on college campuses represent a growing epidemic among college students, but today Sigma Kappa makes a powerful statement about prioritizing mental wellness."
"Sigma Kappa is proud to support our undergraduate members by providing direct access to mental health resources," said Sara Seely Chacon, National President. "More than 75 percent of all mental health conditions begin before the age of 24, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which is why college is such a critical time for health resources and support. Personal growth is one of Sigma Kappa's core values, and our members strive to live a purposeful life through self- and mutual respect. As such, Sigma Kappa is dedicated to the mental and physical wellness of its members, providing critical support for its young leaders throughout their educational, philanthropic, and social lives on campus and beyond."
About Talkspace
Talkspace connects people with licensed therapists through its web and mobile apps. As the leading online therapy company, Talkspace revolutionized mental health care access by bringing the dialogue between therapists and their clients into the digital age. Founded with a mission to eliminate the stigmas associated with mental illness and make therapy available to all, Talkspace has already been used by more than one million people. For more information, please visit https://www.talkspace.com. To learn more about online therapy, please visit https://www.talkspace.com/online-therapy/.
About Sigma Kappa
Sigma Kappa Sorority, founded in 1874, is a national not-for-profit organization of more than 172,000 women dedicated to excellence in academics, personal character, and service to society. The purpose of Sigma Kappa Sorority is to "provide women lifelong opportunities and support for social, intellectual, and spiritual development by bringing women together to positively impact our communities."
SOURCE Talkspace
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