BetterHelp, the world’s largest therapy service, is partnering with Sandy Hook Promise, a national nonprofit organization protecting America’s children from gun violence, to support the mental health of survivors of gun violence. The initiative is part of BetterHelp’s social impact work which furthers its mission of making mental healthcare more accessible by supporting under-resourced individuals and providing equitable access to care for communities in need.

After a previous partnership formed earlier in 2021, BetterHelp will now be providing free therapy to a cohort of survivors of gun violence and their family members who work closely with Sandy Hook Promise.

The toll of surviving gun violence is heavy for both the survivors and their families, which is why BetterHelp hopes to offer mental health support for everyone involved during such trying times.

“Our hearts go out to anyone affected by gun violence and we are grateful to be able to provide therapy to survivors and their families who have been through recent tragedies. We will continue to look for ways to support such communities with organizations like Sandy Hook Promise,” said Alon Matas, BetterHelp Founder, and President.

The outlet for online professional therapy will provide these survivors with the opportunity to communicate with their therapist when they need it most via chat, phone calls, or video. The partnership will provide the opportunity for those who need it to access no-cost recurring help as they find ways to cope and heal from their experiences with gun violence.

“The pain and trauma of surviving a shooting never really goes away,” said Nicole Hockley, co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan, who was killed In the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. “Healing takes time and compassionate emotional support. We are thankful to have BetterHelp’s partnership in providing that critical support for these survivors and their families.”

With their aligning missions that focus on mental health, the two organizations will continue to support these survivors of gun violence and to prioritize mental health as a strategy to prevent future gun violence.

About BetterHelp

BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service, facilitating over 5,000,000 video sessions, voice calls, chats and messages every month. We set out on a mission to make sure everyone has easy, affordable, and private access to high-quality therapy. Since 2013, over 30,000 licensed, accredited, and board-certified therapists from BetterHelp’s network have helped more than 2,000,000 people face life’s challenges and improve their mental health.

About Sandy Hook Promise

Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to end school shootings and create a culture change that prevents violence and other harmful acts that hurt children. Through its life-saving, evidence-informed Know the Signs prevention programs, SHP educates and empowers youth and adults to recognize, intervene, and get help for individuals who may be socially isolated and/or at risk of hurting themselves or others. Through nonpartisan policy and partnerships, SHP advances gun safety, youth mental health, and violence prevention education at the state and federal levels that protect all children from gun violence in their schools, homes, and communities. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.

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