Navigate the healthcare industry
Healthcare Brew covers pharmaceutical developments, health startups, the latest tech, and how it impacts hospitals and providers to keep administrators and providers informed.
We asked, you answered.
In honor of Minority/BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month in July, Healthcare Brew recently asked readers to tell us about the ways their companies, hospitals, or practices work to eliminate barriers and ensure equitable access to mental health services. You, our loyal readers, responded in droves, so we decided to round up a few of our favorite answers to share with the whole class.
First up, Alexandra Shapiro, a spokesperson at the agency Edelman, which works with NewYork-Presbyterian, told us about a program called Uptown Hub, a collaboration between the New York City-based health system and Columbia University Irving Medical Center, as well as other community-based partners. The program aims to improve mental and physical health for youth in Washington Heights and Inwood, two predominantly Hispanic/Latino neighborhoods in NYC.
“By promoting positive and healthy futures, the Uptown Hub empowers members to develop self-advocacy and pursue their dreams by connecting with holistic and culturally affirming services and resources,” Shapiro said in an email to Healthcare Brew.
Next, Tara Wagner, a spokesperson for mental health platform BeMe Health, told us about its technology geared toward teenagers.
“Their approach is centered around the unique needs and experiences of teenagers with a strong focus on early intervention,” Wagner said via email. “By doing so, they bridge the gap and expand access to behavioral health resources for teens who have limited support.”
BeMe Health’s platform offers content for teens on common problems they may face, activities to help them build healthy habits, and access to licensed therapists specializing in child and adolescent services.
The company “prioritize[s] cultural engagement and relevance by actively involving a diverse Teen Advisory Board consisting of more than 130 members across the US,” Wagner said.
Finally, Michael Tang, VP of integrated care at Cityblock Health, told Healthcare Brew about the company’s advanced behavioral health program. Cityblock serves Medicaid patients, offering medical and mental health services as well as support for things like childcare, food, and safe housing.
The program—which currently operates in Massachusetts, Ohio, Indiana, and New York—offers medication, therapy, and other interventions virtually, in a patient’s home, or in a mobile clinic. It’s geared toward “eligible members” with serious mental illness and substance use disorder. The program, which started out in Washington, DC, reported a 15% decrease in emergency room visits among Cityblock members there in the first four months, according to the company’s 2023 Equity in Action report.
Don’t be shy—send us a message next time you see a callout in a Healthcare Brew newsletter. We love to hear from you.
Correction 08/10/23: This story has been updated to reflect the most up-to-date locations of Cityblock’s advanced behavioral health program.