Meditation and mindfulness app Headspace is offering free one-year subscriptions to U.S. workers who are unemployed or furloughed. With the free offer, qualifying subscribers will get full access to Headspace’s library of content, including 1,200 hours of guided meditations, health and wellness courses, mini-meditations, sleep support (sleepcasts, music, sounds), at-home workouts and guided runs, daily videos that promote mindfulness, animations that explain meditation basics, and ongoing guidance from Headspace co-founder Andy Puddicombe.
The offer is only available to new or existing free members who are unemployed or furloughed. It does not apply to current subscribers. An annual subscription to Headspace is $69.99 after a free two-week trial. If paid monthly, Headspace is $12.99 per month. Student and family pricing are also available.
“Be kind to your mind. During this crisis, our mental health is suffering. Headspace is here to give you the tools and resources to look after your mind. And now, more than ever, it’s time to support those who really need it. If you’re unemployed, you can get a free year of Headspace Plus to help you get back on your feet,” says the Headspace website.
The news from Headspace comes as unemployment in the U.S. continues to skyrocket and during the month of May which is Mental Health Awareness Month. Last month, Headspace announced a partnership with the state of New York, offering free subscriptions to help New Yorkers across the state to deal with the COVID-19 crisis.
“These are such uncertain times for everyone all over the world. It’s difficult to even know where to begin to address the extraordinary stress, anxiety and trauma that individuals and communities are experiencing. The stories emerging from New York, the epicenter of the pandemic here in the U.S., are simply heartbreaking,” said Headspace co-founder Andy Puddicombe in an April 6 news release. “Now more than ever, it’s essential to look after our physical and mental health, both for our own benefit, and for those around us. So we are honored to answer the call of Governor Cuomo’s office and offer our help and support to the people of New York.”
These are just two of the ways Headspace is trying to help do its part during the coronavirus pandemic. Additional support includes:
- Free Headspace Plus subscriptions to U.S. healthcare providers working in a public health setting and to 1.2 million United Kingdom’s National Health Service employees
- Free weather-the-storm themed meditation and mindfulness content in English, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese
- Headspace for work tools and resources for businesses
- Free access to Headspace for all K-12 educators in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Australia
“While meditation and mindfulness can’t change our circumstances in life, it can help us change our perspective on those circumstances. And, now more than ever, that’s an incredibly powerful skill to learn,” said Headspace CEO and co-founder Rich Pierson. “As a company dedicated to improving the health and happiness of the world, we take our responsibility to help support people’s mental health very seriously. It’s our promise today and for whatever tomorrow brings.”
Insider Take
According to CNN, 30.3 million Americans had filed initial unemployment claims as of April 30, 2020. While certain types of businesses across the country are starting to reopen, that number has undoubtedly grown. Tens of millions of Americans are trying to figure out how to pay their bills, feed their families, educate their kids and find another job, all while trying to stay safe and healthy. These times are unprecedented, and no one knows what to expect in the current situation, so Headspace’s offer is particularly generous. They are under no obligation to offer their subscription service for free, but they are staying true to their mission by trying to do their part to ease some of the stress that comes with losing a job. This is admirable, and people will remember this kindness.
