At Bark, we know firsthand just how important mental health is to young people and their families. That’s why we’re so proud to announce our new partnership with Talkspace, which will make their therapy resources available to every Bark user, along with free features and discounts.
You’ve probably heard of Talkspace — it’s been recognized by Healthline and PsychCentral as the best online teen therapy service for messaging-based care. This makes it a perfect fit for Bark’s digital families, and we’re excited to work with them to provide mental wellness resources for our customers.
A Timely Solution for a Growing Problem
It isn’t easy growing up in a tech world (and that’s an understatement), and kids and parents alike have to navigate modern stresses facing children like social media, FOMO, too much screen time, cyberbullying, and so much more.
In 2023, the U.S. surgeon general even issued a stark warning about the state of youth mental health, calling out the detrimental effects social media can have on kids, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Despite this important call to action, we are still waiting on meaningful action from the largest social media platforms nearly two years later when it comes to parental controls.
In 2024, Bark’s annual report revealed just how common these types of issues are among kids. Some of the most eye-opening stats include:
- 77% of teens experienced bullying
- 43% of teens experienced depression
- 40% of teens experienced anxiety
It’s clear that kids are encountering problematic things online while also using their devices to try and process their feelings and emotions (and connect authentically with peers). Our partnership with Talkspace is a natural solution for addressing mental health concerns. By meeting kids where they’re at — and on a safer phone thanks to the Bark software — they can use Talkspace resources to work on issues affecting their mental health.
How the Partnership Works
Talkspace Go: Free mental wellness tools
Bark users will get special access to Talkspace Go, an app that offers teen-appropriate self-guided exercises, content, and videos — all developed by licensed therapists and available at no cost. Talkspace Go is a great way for kids (and their parents!) to work at their own pace on mental health issues. The best part? It’s a $359 per year value — and Bark users get it absolutely free.
Talkspace online therapy: $100 off your first month
For families looking to go a step further, there’s the Talkspace therapy app. With the permission of their parents, kids can begin online therapy with their own caring licensed therapist who specializes in teens. This type of therapy can take place anywhere, allowing teens and therapists to connect via secure messaging, virtual sessions, or a combination of the two. These sessions are covered in-network by most insurance plans, with an average copay of $15, but many covered members pay nothing. If a family isn’t using insurance, Bark users will get $100 off their first month.
Why This Partnership Matters
Access to mental health care is a serious issue in America. In a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, one-third of respondents said they could not get the mental health services they needed. When asked about the specific barriers to accessing care, 80% cited cost and more than 60% cited shame and stigma as the main obstacles.
At Bark, we believe everyone — especially children, our most vulnerable population — deserves access to mental healthcare and resources, and we had been looking for the best partner to help us provide ways to access it to those who need it most. Talkspace is that partner, and we’re so excited for Bark users to explore everything that Talkspace has to offer.
Combining Bark and Talkspace is a win for parents because it combines awareness (via Bark alerts) with practical guidance (from Talkspace). Here’s a real-life example:
A parent gets two Bark alerts about anxiety and bullying. They then sit down with their kid and talk about what they’re going through and feeling. Together, they look through the Talkspace Go app and pick out videos and workshops that can help the child process their feelings, along with breathing exercises that can help reduce stress.
It’s our hope that these apps can help families address mental health issues proactively. Together, we can work toward a future where every child is supported, parents are empowered, and families talk openly and honestly about mental wellness.
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Bark helps families manage and protect their children’s digital lives.
