Combating Loneliness in Utah: Strategies for Social Supports
Loneliness is becoming an urgent public health issue in Utah, where nearly 43% of Utahns report feeling lonely at least some of the time — a rate that surpasses the national average. But this isn’t just about feeling isolated; loneliness can have serious consequences for both mental and physical health. Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. […]
Utah’s Hope Squad: A Local Solution to a National Crisis
Over the past two decades, every U.S. state has felt the impact of rising youth suicide rates. In Utah, the youth suicide rate more than tripled in the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, suicide is the second leading cause of death for kids ages 10 to 17—and only 6 other states have […]
Expanding Mental Health Access in Rural Arizona
Arizona is home to some of the most beautiful deserts in the country— but rural residents shouldn’t face a desert when it comes to mental health. While access to mental health services in rural areas is a known challenge across the country, it’s especially pronounced in Arizona. And it’s not hard to see why. Over […]
IOP Programs in Arizona: Bridging the Care Gap
Arizona is facing a mental health crisis. Rates of anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicide are rising—and surpassing the national average—while access to care continues to trail behind 42 other states. In this increasingly strained system, Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) are stepping up to play a more important role than ever before. In this post, […]
Certified Wellness Coaches Expand the School Mental Health Workforce
Nearly half of California’s adolescents face mental health challenges, yet 66% of those struggling with depression do not receive treatment, according to the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI). As the scale and complexity of these challenges grow, the state has introduced a proactive solution: CYBHI Certified Wellness Coaches. This newly created, […]
Braided Funding: Sustainable Funding for California Mental Health
Mental health providers and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) across California are facing a growing challenge: how to sustain critical behavioral health services for youth and families while navigating a maze of new funding sources. With new initiatives such as the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) and Enhanced Care Management (ECM) introduced through CalAIM, braiding funding […]
What Should CYBHI Schools Look for in an EHR?
Local Education Agencies (LEAs) frequently face logistical challenges in managing school-based mental health services, particularly when you factor in state billing requirements. With the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), LEAs bear an additional layer of responsibility. LEAs must demonstrate that they have the necessary technology to meet the CYBHI’s operational requirements. This includes […]
How Does Behavioral Health Software Save Time for Clinicians?
Clinicians often struggle to keep up with clinical documentation, finding there aren’t enough hours in the day to complete paperwork for the number of clients they need to see. And in some states, clinicians can no longer bill for time spent on documentation – leading to a unique problem. Clinicians find themselves needing to complete paperwork as […]
CYBHI: Transforming Behavioral Health Services in California Schools
The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is a transformative $4.6 billion initiative spearheaded by the state of California to revolutionize behavioral health support for children and youth. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to ensure that all children in California gain more integrated, equitable, and accessible support for their mental health and substance […]
EHR Software Prepares School-Based Mental Health Services for Success
In recent years, schools across the nation have faced unprecedented challenges in meeting students’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Many schools have had to quickly expand existing programs or build entirely new school-based mental health services as they adapt to their students’ changing mental and behavioral health needs. To compound the issue, school districts often […]
