With rising rates of loneliness, isolation and an alarming increase in suicide, the mental health crisis faced by youth in the United States requires urgent attention and innovative solutions. This has become a priority across many parts of healthcare, as recent research from the U.S. Surgeon General focuses on both the short- and long-term effects of these challenges and further highlights the need for effective mental health care for children and teens. One key factor in addressing this crisis is ensuring that young people are matched with mental health providers who are qualified and properly trained to meet their needs.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a major component in exacerbating existing mental health issues, leading to a significant increase in problems among young people. One of the most alarming statistics is that 9% of high school students have attempted suicide, with Black students twice as likely to commit suicide as their peers.
The pandemic also drastically impacted human connections, leaving youth feeling a sense of loneliness that continues to resonate today. Harvard researchers found that during the pandemic, 61% of Americans ages 18 through 25 self-reported being lonely frequently, almost all of the time, or all of the time, compared to 24% of Americans ages 55 through 65. Loneliness has been linked to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, heart disease and a shortened lifespan.
This stark reality underscores the need for effective mental health care that is tailored to the needs of each individual.
The Role of Race
The likelihood of accessing mental health care varies significantly based on race. This disparity is not solely due to a shortage of diverse or culturally competent providers, nor can it be entirely attributed to insufficient insurance coverage. A significant part of the problem is overall awareness. Many people are unaware of the extent of the issue, and addressing this awareness gap is a crucial first step. Creating an open dialogue around mental health issues, needs, and treatment options is an important move in the right direction to help draw attention to the cultural complexities of mental health.
Families seeking mental health care for their children often face additional challenges. They not only need to find a therapist who can treat children or teens, but they may also require a clinician who understands specific cultural contexts. The ability to match young patients with providers who can address their distinctive age-related and cultural needs is vital for improving mental health outcomes.
The Importance of Patient/Provider Matching
Matching patients and providers based on distinct needs and characteristics can be difficult without the right tools and assistance. The traditional methods of finding a therapist often are a trial-and-error process, which can be frustrating and time-consuming for both the patient and their family.
Digital mental health platforms can play a crucial role in addressing the challenge of matching patients and providers. These platforms focus on matching patients with an appropriate provider from the outset, minimizing the chance a patient meets with incompatible therapists. By streamlining the matching process, these tools ensure that young people can access the care they need more quickly and efficiently.
The matching process on digital mental health platforms typically involves several steps, including:
- Initial Client Submission: Prospective patients begin by filling out a form that captures essential information such as birth date, location, insurance carrier, and most importantly, the type of therapy they are seeking.
- Therapist Profiles and Client Preferences: After submitting their personal details, patients receive a list of therapist profiles matching their initial criteria. They can refine this list further by specifying preferences such as appointment times, specialty, ethnicity, gender, or affiliation.
- Therapist Profile Visibility and Specializations: Therapist profiles are shown to the patient based on the specializations and the client populations they serve. This helps ensure that patients find therapists who are well-suited to their needs.
- Client Selection and Appointment Confirmation: Patients review and choose from their matched therapist profiles and schedule their first appointment.
This kind of digital matching process offers several benefits that can help improve mental health outcomes for young people. For example, it can increase the personalization of care by matching patients with therapists who meet their specific needs and preferences, it can reduce the time and effort required to find a suitable therapist and allow patients to begin therapy sooner, and it can make it easier for patients to access therapy regardless of their location or circumstances, breaking down the barriers to care.
Technology’s Role in the Future of Youth Mental Health Care
While technology is a tremendous enabler, it is essential to ensure that the foundational work around quality of care and patient safety is not overlooked. Technology should be used to deliver care that puts the patient at the center, with tools and services that support providers, empowering them to do their best work with the patients they serve and treat.
This crisis is a complex issue that requires quick, and effective solutions. Ensuring that young people are matched with providers who can meet their personal needs is a critical component of the equation. Digital mental health platforms offer a promising approach to addressing this challenge, providing personalized, efficient, and accessible care, and helping youth feel connected, helping to minimize the effects of the ongoing loneliness epidemic. By leveraging these tools and prioritizing foundational work around quality and safety, we can make significant strides in improving mental health outcomes for children today and in the future.
About Douglas Newton, MD, MPH
Douglas Newton, MD, MPH, is a psychiatrist dedicated to improving the wellbeing of families and individuals. As Chief Medical Officer at Rula Health, he works to further his impact and the company’s mission – making mental health care work for everyone. Before joining Rula, Douglas served as CMO of another health technology company and the National Senior Medical Director at UnitedHealth Group. In this role, he oversaw clinical quality engagement and management to develop a high-performing mental health provider network. Prior to his work with UnitedHealth Group, Douglas held senior leadership roles at Kaiser Permanente and Colorado Permanente Medical Group (CPMG). Douglas holds a BS and an MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s in Public Health from Yale. He completed residency training in adult psychiatry at Dartmouth and a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.