Let’s do better: Delivering effective mental healthcare to children and teens

Session: We Know Better, Let’s Do Better: Delivering Effective Mental Healthcare to Children and Teens

Mental health struggles among children and teens dominate news headlines and feature prominently in popular movies and television programs. Mental health discussions have increased, and the youth of today are much more adept at and comfortable with talking about anxiety, depression and compulsions now more than ever before.

Yet too many young Americans are not getting the mental health support they need. Provider shortages, care silos, lack of information and a generally complex healthcare system are all barriers to care. As a result, only about 20% of children with mental, emotional or behavioral disorders are receiving care from specialized providers.

How can we do better? That was the question front and center at Forum 2024 during a discussion with Russell Dubois, PhD, Senior Director, Enterprise Clinical Strategy and Quality, Mental Health atTeladoc Health; Kendra Read, PhD, Vice President, Therapy at Brightline; and Solome Tibebu, Founder and CEO, Going Digital Behavioral Health Tech.

These healthcare leaders examined the actions benefit sponsors should consider when seeking to increase access and improve outcomes for mental health in children and teens.

Early intervention and engagement are critical

Untreated mental health issues can escalate over time, and what might start as mild anxiety or behavioral challenges could worsen if left unaddressed.

Early intervention helps prevent these issues from snowballing into more significant problems that impact a child’s overall well-being, as well as the long-term cost of these problems. Earlier interventions are shown to help reduce school absences and workplace absenteeism for parents and put the child back on track to more normal childhood experiences.  

Traditionally, therapy has been considered the best way to intervene. However, it’s not the only way. Adolescents today are more likely to embrace virtual, digital tools for support and are generally more open to receiving help. Meeting them where they are and providing the right support at the right time is crucial. Fortunately, thanks to advancements in technology and virtual care, we no longer live in a society where we must wait for something to be a problem before seeking help.

The best approach is a collaborative care effort

Effective care involves not only the child but also their family. Parents and caregivers are often the first to notice changes in their child’s behaviors, emotions or social interactions, making them essential in early detection of any mental health issues.

Since they’re at the center of their child’s world, parents and caregivers must learn skills and strategies that support their child’s mental health. Educating families on what the child is experiencing and how to support them, as well as understanding what resources are available to them, will help create a positive environment which is vital for the child’s stability and resilience.

Families also play a pivotal role in connecting with the other important ecosystems in the child’s life to broaden support, such as school, teachers, coaches, mentors and the community.

Additionally, parental involvement reduces the stigma surrounding mental health and encourages open communication and a healthier attitude towards seeking help, which ultimately contributes to their long-term success.  

Ensuring children and adolescents have specialized care is key to their success

Mental health is not a one-size-fits-all approach. While some principles for treating adults and children might be similar, treating youth is very different because they are continuously changing and developing.

Providers must understand and address mental health issues within the context of the child’s developmental stages, especially since symptoms may present differently. Specialists also undergo training that equips them to assess and treat mental health conditions unique to children and adolescents. This allows them to recognize the difference between typical behaviors and actual signs that something more is going on to prevent more severe symptoms down the road. They must also be aware of developmental milestones and age-appropriate interventions to meet the needs of younger patients and family dynamics.

As mentioned above, children’s mental health is closely intertwined with their family and educational environment, so the provider must work closely within those ecosystems to deliver comprehensive care and support that goes beyond the traditional care setting. Seeing a specialist may also be the child’s first entry point into the mental healthcare system, so it’s a chance to show them that mental health support is there for them and instill hope that it can work.

It’s important for us to recognize the complexities that go along with children and their mental health, and the need for early detection, intervention and ongoing support, as well as seeing a specialized provider. It’s also imperative that children are treated through a collaborative care approach that includes their family, school, coaches and the community. By investing in these efforts, we can create a supportive environment for children to thrive physically, mentally, emotionally and socially.