LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International University Athletics takes great pride in providing the finest physical and mental healthcare to its 12 athletic programs. In keeping with that mission, the department will make Talkspace online therapy available to its nearly 200 student-athletes.

With over 1 million users, Talkspace is a HIPAA-compliant mental health care service that brings convenient, personal, and professional therapy to college students via private messaging from a secure digital platform. With Talkspace, a student can regularly send text, audio, and video messages to a dedicated, licensed therapist of their choosing from anywhere, anytime, whenever it fits best into the student's busy academic and social life.

"The introduction of Talkspace is going be a great service for our student athletes," said Head Athletic Trainer Kayla Zambanini. "The great thing is they are able to use it on the bus, in the dorms, or anywhere that they have a phone or computer. The other good thing is that it is confidential for students to use, if they feel they need someone to talk to."

As a part of TAMIU's partnership with Dissinger Reed and Talkspace, Dustdevil student-athletes can access these services for up to three months at no cost.

"We have no doubt Talkspace's mental health platform will only add to the great services already provided to our Dustdevil student-athletes", said Dissinger Reed CEO, Christian Reed.  "Providing another tool for the success and growth of our TAMIU athletes, both on and off the field, is extremely exciting."