Hoops All-Star and Champion Joakim Noah Partners with BetterHelp to Turn Every Assist into Support, Donating Therapy Hours and Delivering a Nationwide Pep Talk — Watch Here

Today, as the countdown to college basketball’s biggest tournament begins and pressure mounts on and off the court, BetterHelp, the world’s largest online therapy platform, returns with Mind Over Madness — a first-of-its-kind nationwide activation transforming one of basketball’s most iconic plays into a reminder that no one performs at their best alone.

Teaming up with basketball great Joakim Noah, a player known for making the extra pass, BetterHelp is launching Mind Over Madness by donating an initial 1,000 hours of free therapy and will unlock an additional 10 hours for every assist recorded during this year’s men’s and women’s national tournaments. Based on historical averages, more than 5,000 assists are typically recorded throughout tournament season, potentially unlocking over 50,000 hours of therapy nationwide.¹ As part of Mind Over Madness, Noah is also delivering a nationwide pep talk at a time when pressure is at its peak.

“In basketball and in life, I learned early on that you can’t win alone,” said Noah. “I’ve always been a big believer in the assist, on and off the court. Everything changes when you have people in your corner, especially in those high-pressure moments. Sometimes you just need someone — a coach, a teammate, even a therapist — to remind you what you’re capable of. When the pressure’s on, it’s your mindset that makes the difference.”

Research shows that 65% of athletes say a pep talk positively impacts performance and psychological readiness.² Recognizing that pressure extends far beyond the court, Noah’s nationwide pep talk isn’t just for athletes — it’s for the fans, the students, and the coaches, all navigating high expectations too. Because whether you’re on the court or off, no one performs at their best alone — and sometimes the assist makes all the difference.

“The assist is one of basketball’s defining plays and reflects the understanding that the best moments in the game don’t happen alone, an idea that extends far beyond the court,” said Sara Brooks, Chief Growth Officer at BetterHelp. “Nearly 1 in 5 college athletes experience a mental health concern, yet fewer than half seek support³ — but those challenges aren’t limited to athletes. Students, coaches, and fans face high-pressure moments, too. With Mind Over Madness, we’re showing up during one of the most intense cultural moments of the year, unlocking care in real time and reinforcing that investing in your mind and accepting support isn’t weakness — it’s strength.”

Whether you’re taking the shot, making the pass, or watching from the sidelines, your mind matters — and no one has to go it alone.

Watch Joakim Noah’s pep talk here, and for more information or to register for a free month of therapy, visit BetterHelp.com/MindOverMadness

About BetterHelp

BetterHelp is the world’s largest online therapy platform, with a mission to make mental health care more accessible to everyone. Today, it provides professional, affordable, and tailored therapy in a convenient online format through a network of 30,000 licensed therapists globally. BetterHelp has helped millions of people worldwide take ownership of their mental health and work towards their personal goals. As the unmet need for mental health services persists, BetterHelp remains committed to expanding access to therapy globally and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health care.

Last year, during tournament season, BetterHelp launched Stop the Madness, a campaign supporting student-athletes facing online harassment and mounting pressure during tournament season. With Mind Over Madness, BetterHelp builds on that commitment — expanding its support beyond the court to coaches, fans, students, and anyone feeling the weight of high expectations.

References

1. NCAA historical tournament statistics (men’s and women’s), average assists per game, and total tournament games.
2. Vargas-Tonsing, T.M. & Bartholomew, J.B. (2006). An Exploratory Study of the Effects of Pregame Speeches on Team Efficacy Beliefs. Journal of Applied Social Psychology.
3. Yoon, J.J., & Petrie, T. (2023). Barriers and Facilitators of College Athletes Seeking Mental Health Services. Journal of Athletic Training.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260312596652/en/

"Everything changes when you have people in your corner, especially in those high-pressure moments. Sometimes you just need someone - a coach, a teammate, even a therapist - to remind you what you’re capable of."