What you need to know:
– Fort Health, a leader in integrative behavioral health, today announced that it has raised $5.5 million to expand mental health care to more pediatrician offices. The funding round was led by Twelve Below and Vanterra, bringing the total raised to $16 million.
– Since its launch, Fort Health has expanded into New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania and entered into large-scale commercial agreements with payer and provider groups to provide access to evidence-based youth mental health care services. concluded. This round of funding will enable the company to expand into Texas and Illinois through its partnership with NovaWell.
Fort Health expands access to pediatric mental health through integrated care and strategic partnerships
Fort Health is a virtual pediatric mental health company that provides accessible, in-network behavioral health services to children and families by integrating primary and mental health care. Fort Health was founded in partnership with the Child Mind Institute, an independent nonprofit organization focused on improving lives affected by mental health issues, with operations in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. and plans to expand to additional states by the end of the year.
Addressing the national youth mental health crisis
The United States is currently facing a severe mental health crisis among teenagers. The percentage of high school students experiencing “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness” jumped from 26% to 44% between 2009 and 2021, according to a 2022 CDC report. The need for accessible mental health care is especially acute in states such as Texas. It ranks last in mental health services, has the highest youth suicide rate in the nation, and has a 75% treatment gap for depressed youth. Illinois also reflects an alarming trend, with 20% of youth affected by a mental health condition, according to a report from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Expand your reach through strategic partnerships
To address these critical needs, Fort Health has partnered with Novawell to expand its evidence-based treatment, psychiatry, and parent coaching services to Texas and Illinois, and expand pediatric healthcare We work directly with provider groups and hospitals. These services are fully covered by insurance, giving you a wider range of care.
Comprehensive and collaborative care model
When a pediatrician refers a patient to Fort Health, a provider is selected based on the family’s preferences. A thorough clinical evaluation is then performed, resulting in a customized care plan. During treatment, Fort Health maintains open communication with the referring pediatrician and updates them on clinical progress and medication adjustments. Additionally, Fort Health supports parents by providing specialized training to better support their child’s mental health needs at home.
Investing in and believing in Fort Health’s model
Recent funding rounds led by Twelve Below and Vanterra bring Fort Health’s total funding to $16 million. Redesign Health, Blue Venture Fund and True Wealth also contributed, affirming investors’ confidence in Fort Health’s mission and innovative approach to care. With this financial support, Fort Health stands ready to continue expanding its reach and improving access to mental health care for families across the United States.
“Pediatricians are the most trusted stakeholders in family medicine, but they are still overwhelmed with patients with mental health problems and are unable to complete child and adolescent psychiatry rotations or to treat these conditions. Very few people have the training to do so,” said Natalie Schneider, Founding CEO of Fort. health. “We built our model to put pediatricians at the heart of the care team. Importantly, integrating behavioral health with primary care not only streamlines the experience, but also from a cost perspective. It makes sense: Milliman says integrated behavioral health care can reduce total medical costs per patient by 9% to 17%.”
