The conversation around mental health has shifted significantly over the past decade, yet barriers to seeking care persist. In 2025, BetterHelp has mounted an ambitious campaign to dismantle those obstacles through high-profile collaborations, groundbreaking research, and initiatives that put online therapy within reach of millions who might otherwise go without support.
From musicians sharing deeply personal recovery stories to professional athletes speaking out against online harassment, BetterHelp’s partnerships throughout the year have demonstrated that mental wellness advocacy resonates across demographics. These collaborations signal a broader cultural shift toward treating psychological well-being with the same priority as physical health.
The State of Stigma: Data That Demands Action
In May, BetterHelp released its first-ever State of Stigma report, surveying over 16,000 people across 23 countries to understand the fears, beliefs, and cultural narratives that prevent individuals from seeking professional support. The findings painted a complex picture: while nearly three in four respondents agreed that seeking mental health support is wise for maintaining wellbeing, roughly 60% felt societal attitudes discourage people from actually getting help.
“BetterHelp exists to champion the well-being in all of us, and we envision a world where nothing stands between people and the support they need,” said Fernando Madeira, CEO of BetterHelp. “While awareness of mental health issues has never been higher, we’re seeing stigma and lack of access still prevent millions from getting the care they deserve.”
The report revealed particularly striking generational differences. Gen Z members were more likely than any other generation to openly discuss mental health issues, yet 37% of that demographic believes those who seek counseling are “mentally weak,” compared to 27% among millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers combined. This paradox underscores why celebrity and athlete advocacy matters: young people need visible examples of successful individuals who prioritize therapy without shame.
Musicians Breaking the Silence
Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi made headlines in July when he partnered with BetterHelp to donate 734,000 hours of free therapy to his fans. The number carries profound personal significance: it represents 1,000 hours for each of the 734 days Capaldi spent away from the spotlight following his difficult 2023 Glastonbury performance, during which anxiety and symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome forced him to cut his set short.
“Therapy is the reason why I am able to be a musician again,” Capaldi explained in a video announcing the initiative. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop going to therapy after the impact it’s had on my life over the past two years.”
Sara Brooks, Chief Growth Officer at BetterHelp, emphasized the significance of such public endorsements: “We’ve seen through our data that globally three in four people agree that seeking mental health support is important, yet most people are afraid to ask for help. To have someone as globally recognized as Lewis Capaldi share so authentically how therapy has transformed his life is incredibly powerful.”
Later in the year, country artist Noah Cyrus sat down for the inaugural episode of “Tuned In With Billboard,” a video series presented by BetterHelp featuring musicians discussing therapy candidly. In the emotional interview, Cyrus revealed that therapy “completely saved my life” after battling addiction and distancing herself from family during her early twenties.
“When I really started to take therapy seriously, after my addiction, I did not want to be alive,” Cyrus shared. “I did not have any feelings or connection to life and what it feels like to live.” Today, she describes herself as happier than ever, engaged to her fiancé Pinkus, touring in support of a critically acclaimed album, and looking forward to starting a family.
Athletes Leading the Charge Against Online Harassment
Student athletes face unique psychological pressures that intensified throughout 2025. According to research cited by BetterHelp, one in three high-profile collegiate athletes receives abusive online messages, with female athletes experiencing three times more threats than their male counterparts. The rise of sports betting has compounded these pressures, as athletes increasingly face blame on social media for betting outcomes.
In March, BetterHelp launched the “Stop the Madness” campaign in partnership with college basketball stars Kiki Rice, Zoe Brooks, and Chance Gray. The initiative offered any student-athlete who visited the campaign website a free month of therapy during March Madness.
“Mental health is not a sideline issue; it is the entire game,” Madeira stated. “We are breaking down the barriers that keep athletes from seeking help, transforming mental health support from a whispered conversation to a powerful statement of courage and hope.”
UCLA point guard Kiki Rice spoke directly to her peers: “As athletes, we’re trained to handle pressure, and not just during the game. It follows us off the court and everywhere we go. Without the right support, it can really take a toll. So, if you’re a student-athlete or you know one, remember help is out there. And asking for it is one of the strongest things you can do.”
The campaign’s success led to expanded partnerships. In June, BetterHelp announced multi-year agreements with three WNBA powerhouse teams: the 2024 Champion New York Liberty, the Las Vegas Aces, and the Dallas Wings. These partnerships include connecting teams with licensed therapists, creating in-arena experiences promoting mental health awareness, producing digital content featuring athletes and coaches sharing personal stories, and developing educational resources for the next generation of women athletes.
“The extraordinary rise of women’s basketball is more than a sports story,” explained Brooks. “This is a cultural movement reaching millions of passionate fans. But with that spotlight comes pressure, and for elite athletes, peak performance isn’t just physical—it’s mental.”
Community Partnerships and Nonprofit Collaborations
Throughout 2025, BetterHelp expanded its commitment to reaching underserved communities. The platform donated over 2,700 months of free therapy in May alone through partnerships with Six Degrees.org, Shout UK, and Be Strong. These collaborations targeted frontline mental health workers and Gen Z students navigating contemporary challenges.
The platform also became the headline sponsor for Alcohol Change UK’s 2025 Dry January Challenge, marking the campaign’s first headline partner in its 13-year history. With 15.5 million Britons planning to go alcohol-free in January, the partnership highlighted the intersection of mental health and substance use while providing resources to participants focused on behavioral change.
“As the world’s largest online mental health platform, we at BetterHelp are excited to partner with Alcohol Change UK and sponsor the 2025 Dry January Challenge to help more people take proactive steps towards holistic health in the New Year,” the company stated.
Sound Mind Live and BetterHelp continued their ongoing partnership for the seventh annual Sound Mind Music Festival for Mental Health in Brooklyn, which featured performances, wellness workshops, and panels from leading mental health organizations, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“As a global leader in mental health advocacy and access, we’re thrilled to partner with Sound Mind to break down the barriers to mental health support,” Madeira said. “Together, we’ll confront the stigma around mental health challenges and remind everyone that there’s strength in asking for support.”
The Platform Behind the Partnerships
BetterHelp’s network comprises over 30,000 licensed therapists who have helped millions of people across more than 100 countries. The platform’s 2024 data revealed that 72% of clients experienced a reduction in symptoms within their first 12 weeks of therapy, with 69% achieving reliable improvement and 62% reaching symptom remission. Client satisfaction remains high, with live sessions receiving an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on more than 1.7 million ratings.
Perhaps most significantly, 40% of new members in 2024 were experiencing therapy for the first time in their lives. This statistic speaks to the platform’s success in reaching individuals who face traditional barriers to mental health care, whether geographic, financial, or psychological.
BetterHelp offers multiple communication methods to accommodate different preferences: video sessions, phone calls, live chat, and messaging. This flexibility allows clients to engage with therapy on their terms, fitting professional support into demanding schedules. The platform’s matching system achieved a 93% success rate in fulfilling client preferences, connecting individuals with therapists whose expertise and approach align with specific needs.
Looking Ahead: Mental Health as a Priority
The cumulative impact of BetterHelp’s 2025 initiatives demonstrates how strategic partnerships can normalize mental health conversations across different communities. When a Grammy-nominated artist credits therapy with saving his career, when college basketball stars speak openly about the toll of online harassment, and when professional sports teams commit to supporting player wellness, the message reaches audiences who might never have considered seeking help.
“Seeking mental health treatment is an act of bravery, and overcoming the fear of stigma is crucial for healing and well-being,” said Courtney Cope, LMFT and Director of Clinical Operations at BetterHelp. “This report helps us better understand those dynamics, and the quiet, persistent gaps between belief, behavior, and action. Our responsibility is to close that gap and make care feel not just available, but accessible.”
The platform also launched its own podcast, “Mind if We Talk?“, featuring discussions on topics important to its members worldwide, including coping with grief, redefining masculinity, and overcoming imposter syndrome. These conversations extend the work of reducing stigma beyond one-time campaigns into sustained dialogue.
As mental health awareness continues building momentum, BetterHelp’s approach offers a template for meaningful advocacy: combine data-driven research with authentic storytelling, partner with figures who can reach diverse audiences, and back the message with accessible resources that remove barriers to care. The result is a growing understanding that mental wellness deserves the same attention as physical health, and that asking for help represents strength rather than weakness.
For those considering whether therapy might benefit them, the stories shared throughout 2025 carry a consistent message. As Noah Cyrus put it: “I encourage therapy because of how much I can just sit here and say from my personal experience how much it helped, and changed, and saved my life in so many ways.”