By Maria Katrina Segui
American pop star Ariana Grande continues to expand her mental health campaign by providing $2 million worth of free therapy in partnership with the digital counseling service, BetterHelp.
The newly-wed singer hopes to break the stigma in seeking professional help and to make mental health services accessible to all by giving away a month of free therapy through the US-based platform.
“While acknowledging that therapy should not be for a privileged few but something everyone has access to and acknowledging that this doesn’t fix that issue in the long run, I really wanted to do this anyway in hopes of inspiring you to dip a toe in, to feel okay asking for help, and to hopefully rid your minds of any sort of self-judgment in doing so!” Ariana wrote on Instagram.
The free therapy program will conclude with a month-long free trial and individuals have the option to renew their membership and continue the sessions for $65 charged every four weeks. BetterHelp provides a variety of options on how to communicate with licensed therapists as well. Apart from scheduled weekly live sessions, those who availed of the Ariana Grande promo can also send audio, video, and text messages to the counselors at any time.
The 28-year-old pop icon is a long-time advocate for mental health, having experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) herself after a 2017 bombing at her Manchester concert that killed 22 people. She is also outspoken on how therapy has “saved her life so many times” and is now encouraging her fans to do the same through the free program.