White Paper | Improve Youth Mental Health through Collaborative Virtual Psychiatry

Ensure that every child has faster access to high-quality mental health support by integrating virtual psychiatry solutions into primary care.

Childhood and adolescence are critical times for physical and mental development, laying the foundation for future health and emotional welfare. Disturbing mental health trends threaten a new generation of patients, with US youth experiencing record levels of violence, sadness, and feelings of hopelessness. Nearly 20% of children and teens live with a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral condition, and suicide is the second most common cause of death among 13-17 year olds. Improving long-term health outcomes for young people calls for a holistic, integrated treatment approach — but access to care is a huge hurdle. It’s not rare for families to wait over 7 weeks or more for a child psych appointment. This is a wake up call for the health care community, and primary care is on the front lines of the crisis.  

As trusted health care providers, PCPs can help ensure continuity of care from identification to treatment and ongoing support. By assessing mental health issues early and intervening before a condition becomes chronic, patients experience fewer delays, less stigma, and more coordinated, comprehensive care. 

RubiconMD expands secure, meaningful access to behavioral health solutions through eConsult+ and team-based collaborative care, BHcare. With either approach, virtual care helps bridge gaps in care by providing PCPs with access to specialized expertise and guidance for managing complex cases, which leads to better cost and clinical outcomes. 

Together, we can help patients achieve better mental health and well-being at every developmental stage.