Baltimore County schools sign on for 3 more years of Talkspace therapy for students

Students in Baltimore County public schools will have free access to the teletherapy service Talkspace for another three years, thanks to $2.4 million in grant funding.

School board members renewed the contract with Talkspace on Tuesday night, extending a partnership that began in December 2023 to September 2029.

Talkspace matches students 13 and older with licensed therapists to whom they can send unlimited messages through a “secure and encrypted platform” at any time, according to a 2023 press release.

Then-Superintendent Myriam Rogers said at a news conference that fall that the service would help address a growing need among the county’s 32,000 high schoolers.

The mental health of young people has declined over the years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency reported in 2023 that 4 in 10 students had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Two in 10 considered attempting suicide and nearly 1 in 10 made attempts.

“We must do our part to provide students with comprehensive resources and supports that help them to navigate the mental health struggles that they face,” Rogers told reporters in the news conference. “Talkspace is one of the ways that we’re responding to growing student needs.”

Alongside Rogers that day was Dr. Jon Cohen, the CEO of Talkspace.

“We’re meeting students where they are, which is on their cellphone,” he said.

During the 2024-25 school year, students sent 16,300 messages on Talkspace, Rogers said in an August 2025 press conference.

Although Talkspace appeared on a Forbes list of the top 10 online therapy platforms, it has also faced scrutiny over its marketing practices and information sharing. Last year, for example, Gizmodo reported that tracking tools sent information about teen Talkspace users to companies such as TikTok, Meta and Snapchat, though a Talkspace official said it was not personal medical information.

School board Chair Jane Lichter did not respond to an interview request on Tuesday. Gboyinde Onijala, a spokesperson for the school district, declined an interview request Tuesday afternoon. The board briefly discussed the contract before voting to approve it.

Bill Heiser, Baltimore County’s current superintendent, said at an Aug. 24 news conference that the district has two dozen community mental health partners that work with students across the county. Talkspace, he said, is another option for students.

“That’s a great resource for our children,” he said of the service.

About the Education Hub

This reporting is part of The Banner’s Education Hub, community-funded journalism that provides parents with resources they need to make decisions about how their children learn. Read more.