Somethings Appoints New Leaders to Enhance Youth Behavioral Health Services
Somethings, a prominent name in the youth behavioral health landscape, has made significant strides to bolster its impact by announcing the appointments of Dr. Amber W. Childs as the Chief Clinical Officer and Patrick Sims as Senior Vice President of Sales. These strategic hires come at a time when the demand for youth mental health services is growing rapidly, with rising concerns around issues such as increased youth suicide rates and limited access to effective support.
According to recent statistics, one in five high school students has seriously contemplated suicide. Tragically, many face prolonged delays before receiving any form of assistance. Somethings aims to bridge this gap by connecting young individuals aged 13 to 26 with Certified Peer Specialist mentors, who not only understand the struggles associated with mental health crises but are also equipped to guide others based on their lived experiences. Impressively, among those who enter the platform grappling with suicidal thoughts, approximately 59% find resolution within just 90 days.
The recent appointments of Dr. Childs and Sims are designed to expand the company's clinical leadership and enhance its market reach, particularly targeting communities that traditional behavioral health systems have historically underserved. The demand for Somethings’ peer support model has tripled over the past year, propelled by new partnerships with Medicaid health plans and an upcoming state RHT collaboration.
As Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Childs is expected to deepen the clinical framework underlining Somethings' innovative peer-led approach. She plans to collaborate closely with Dr. Nick Nissen and the existing clinical leadership team to improve outcomes measurement, care quality, and equitable service delivery. Dr. Childs is not new to the forefront of youth mental health innovation; as an award-winning licensed clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, she brings a wealth of expertise in data-driven transformation and health equity in mental health services. Throughout her career, she has played crucial roles in prominent organizations and has been a vocal advocate for integrating lived experiences into care models.
In Dr. Childs' own words, _“I am thrilled to join the impactful work being done at Somethings. Together, we will leverage innovative approaches that prioritize human connection and community, ensuring that the voices of young individuals remain central to our efforts.”_
Patrick Sims, who takes on the role of Senior Vice President of Sales, brings with him nearly a decade of experience in establishing enterprise partnerships across the healthcare sector. His previous tenure includes significant roles such as Vice President of Growth at Drive Health and Foodsmart, where he effectively built collaborations with health plans and systems to reach millions of Americans. In his new capacity at Somethings, Sims is tasked with extending the company’s commercial partnerships with Medicaid managed care organizations and state agencies, ensuring that the peer-led support model reaches those in greatest need.
Leslie Courtney, Chief Commercial Officer at Somethings, underscores Sims' importance by stating, _“As states increasingly turn to peer support initiatives to address gaps in care, Patrick's expertise in cultivating partnerships will be pivotal in propelling Somethings forward to assist young people effectively.”_
Founded in 2021, Somethings is committed to providing a digital platform for behavioral health, enabling young individuals to navigate significant life challenges through the support of trained peer mentors, technology-driven care, and collaborative partnerships with schools and healthcare entities. This focus not only fosters resilience among youth but also seeks to dismantle barriers in accessing the critical resources necessary for mental well-being. With the strategic vision of Dr. Childs and Sims, Somethings is poised to scale its innovative model even further, making a lasting impact on the youth mental health crisis. Learn more about their initiatives and approach by visiting
somethings.com.