New Initiative for Mental Health: Somethings and Meridian Join Forces in Illinois
In a significant move to support youth mental health, Somethings, a groundbreaking digital mental health platform, has united with Meridian Health Plan of Illinois to extend crucial peer-based mental health resources to impacted young individuals. This partnership endeavors to serve approximately 159,000 Medicaid members and participants in YouthCare HealthChoice Illinois between the ages of 13 and 21 throughout the state. This collaboration emerges against a backdrop of alarming mental health statistics among youth in Illinois; suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death for individuals aged 5 to 34, while for those aged 10 to 14, it stands as the fourth. Moreover, a troubling survey conducted by Advance Illinois revealed that nearly 40% of Illinois high school students report enduring feelings of sadness or hopelessness, sparking an urgent demand for accessible mental health interventions.
Cristal Gary, the CEO of Meridian Plan, emphasizes the vital importance of mental health as a component of overall well-being. She notes, "Through our partnership with Somethings, we're providing our teenage and young adult members with a supportive resource that resonates with them and is tailored to their specific developmental needs, aligning with their preferences for seeking help."
The partnership aims to enhance the behavioral health framework provided by Meridian, harnessing Somethings' clinically supervised digital peer support model. This model offers early and approachable mental health support that deviates from traditional clinical settings, resonating well with the younger demographic. This initiative is particularly pivotal for youth who encounter barriers in accessing conventional behavioral health services, thus promoting preventive care and engaging youth in a manner that feels relevant and accessible.
Meridian is responsible for managing care for Illinois Medicaid enrollees through the HealthChoice Illinois program, as well as running YouthCare, a specialized program addressing the healthcare needs of youth under the care of Illinois's Department of Children and Family Services, including those in foster care. Accessible mental health assistance is especially critical for youth in foster care, as statistics reveal that a staggering 80% of children and adolescents entering this system exhibit serious mental health issues. Hence, this partnership not only aims to provide youth with private and on-demand access to mental health care but also aspires to bridge substantial gaps in existing support systems.
Patrick Gilligan, the Founder and CEO of Somethings, articulates the sentiments behind this partnership, stating, "Our collaboration with Meridian and YouthCare embodies a mutual commitment to proactive intervention and accessibility, addressing the needs of teens and young adults with support that is relatable, devoid of stigma, and available at their convenience."
Somethings stands out as a secure, structured digital platform connecting youth with trained peer mentors supported by licensed clinicians. This model serves to complement existing behavioral health services, assisting teens and young adults in enhancing resilience, developing emotional skills, and fostering community connections before more serious concerns arise. When additional mental health assistance is necessary, Somethings can link individuals with virtual therapy offered by in-house providers, which is incorporated into the Meridian Medicaid Plan and YouthCare. To gain more information on Somethings or to connect a young individual with their services, visit somethings.com or contact them via social media on Instagram or TikTok at @somethings_mentorship.
This partnership represents not just an initiative but a beacon of hope for the youth in Illinois, signifying a substantial investment in their mental well-being and future.
Cristal Gary, the CEO of Meridian Plan, emphasizes the vital importance of mental health as a component of overall well-being. She notes, "Through our partnership with Somethings, we're providing our teenage and young adult members with a supportive resource that resonates with them and is tailored to their specific developmental needs, aligning with their preferences for seeking help."
The partnership aims to enhance the behavioral health framework provided by Meridian, harnessing Somethings' clinically supervised digital peer support model. This model offers early and approachable mental health support that deviates from traditional clinical settings, resonating well with the younger demographic. This initiative is particularly pivotal for youth who encounter barriers in accessing conventional behavioral health services, thus promoting preventive care and engaging youth in a manner that feels relevant and accessible.
Meridian is responsible for managing care for Illinois Medicaid enrollees through the HealthChoice Illinois program, as well as running YouthCare, a specialized program addressing the healthcare needs of youth under the care of Illinois's Department of Children and Family Services, including those in foster care. Accessible mental health assistance is especially critical for youth in foster care, as statistics reveal that a staggering 80% of children and adolescents entering this system exhibit serious mental health issues. Hence, this partnership not only aims to provide youth with private and on-demand access to mental health care but also aspires to bridge substantial gaps in existing support systems.
Patrick Gilligan, the Founder and CEO of Somethings, articulates the sentiments behind this partnership, stating, "Our collaboration with Meridian and YouthCare embodies a mutual commitment to proactive intervention and accessibility, addressing the needs of teens and young adults with support that is relatable, devoid of stigma, and available at their convenience."
Somethings stands out as a secure, structured digital platform connecting youth with trained peer mentors supported by licensed clinicians. This model serves to complement existing behavioral health services, assisting teens and young adults in enhancing resilience, developing emotional skills, and fostering community connections before more serious concerns arise. When additional mental health assistance is necessary, Somethings can link individuals with virtual therapy offered by in-house providers, which is incorporated into the Meridian Medicaid Plan and YouthCare. To gain more information on Somethings or to connect a young individual with their services, visit somethings.com or contact them via social media on Instagram or TikTok at @somethings_mentorship.
This partnership represents not just an initiative but a beacon of hope for the youth in Illinois, signifying a substantial investment in their mental well-being and future.
Topics Health）
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