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Showing up for youth

Showing up for youth

We're taking a fresh, comprehensive approach to move mental health care forward.

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Section 1

Introduction

As mental health conditions continue to grow worse for children every year, the demand for mental health services for youth and families has skyrocketed.

Understanding the crisis

As mental health conditions continue to grow worse for children every year, the demand for mental health services for youth and families has skyrocketed.

We can't ignore the facts.

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    1 in 5 children

    have a mental health condition each year.

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    50%

    of mental illnesses begin by age 14.

  • More than 20%

    of children reported worsened mental health during the pandemic.

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    53%

    of working parents have missed work at least once per month to deal with their child's mental health.

The U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on youth mental health at the end of 2021, and rates of depression, anxiety, suicide and substance use are rising among adolescents.

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As a result, more parents and caregivers are reaching out for support.

This experience will explore the mental health concerns of youth and families and how a holistic, research-informed approach can help combat this serious crisis.

Section 2

Research insights driving our approach

The mental health impact of transitioning to adulthood and using social media

Optum completed extensive research to better understand the lives, needs, desires and values of individuals ages 13–26 experiencing behavioral health symptoms, conditions and treatment. Explore the areas below to learn how our findings help us understand this generation better so we can create solutions they actually want and need.

Research findings

Young adults feel isolated and lost in their transition to adulthood

Click the circles to see how we can move feelings of isolation to feelings of empowerment.

Tap the circles to see how we can move feelings of isolation to feelings of empowerment.

Young adults feel a need to transition to adulthood on their own but don’t have adequate resources or guides available to help, leaving them feeling isolated or lost. As young adults hit milestone ages, like 18 and 21, they struggle to balance new freedoms and responsibilities. While there’s a desire to be independent, there’s also a desire for approval, and expectations of authority figures aren’t always clear.

Transitions are challenging but come with an opportunity to create a greater sense of empowerment. Young adults are excited about growing up, taking on responsibility and being self-reliant. Learning coping mechanisms and life skills early helps set them up for success in managing mental health in adulthood. Desired skills include creating structure in one’s day, self-care techniques and financial management.

Research findings

Young adults want to find a balance with social media

Click on the circles to see how youth are finding value in social media.

Tap on the circles to see how youth are finding value in social media.

Young people spend a lot of time on social media, and it can have negative effects. Endless scrolling disrupts other activities and may make young adults feel scattered and overwhelmed. And the “comparison game” may lead to lower self-confidence. When social media begins to interfere with their lives, young adults take breaks or delete apps, and they focus on authentic, genuine connections.

Social media can connect young adults with similar backgrounds, experiences and challenges. Engaging in content from those with shared cultural heritage, sexuality or mental health diagnoses can help them better understand their own journey. They may also find new ways to manage their mental health, including anxiety supports, guided meditation and medication overviews.

Section 3

We asked, they answered

Building trust and authenticity with teens

Gen Z and Gen Y are highly sensitive to inauthenticity and are suspicious of parties motivated by self-interest.

This can have a real impact on their mental health care or engagement with therapists. We must build solutions that feel authentic and that adolescents trust so we can better support them and their unique needs.

Hover over the cards below to see how we can authentically help address adolescents’ concerns related to mental health support.

Tap the cards below to see how we can authentically help address adolescents’ concerns related to mental health support.

Concern

My therapist wasn’t helpful and didn’t seem to know what they were talking about.

Consideration

Adolescents seek credentialed, peer-recommended clinicians who provide coping mechanisms and empower self-management of symptoms. They also want therapists to provide insights about themselves and others.

Concern

My therapist doesn’t seem to truly care about my feelings or specific needs.

Consideration

"Check-the-box” care seems inauthentic and unhelpful. Adolescents expect that their care experiences will be tailored to their specific needs and wants. They may withdraw when an approach feels too “one-size-fit-all."

Concern

I don’t feel heard by my therapist. I feel like just a number to them.

Consideration

Independence and choice are essential. Adolescents want their preferences to be honored during therapy — from expressing when they want someone to listen, to when they want action-oriented solutions. Therapy is a partnership, not a dependency.

Concern

I don’t trust them to be my therapist.

Consideration

Clinicians need to be on their side. Adolescents value clinicians who listen without judgement and understand their unique perspectives. They respect clinicians who maintain their privacy and are transparent about what they will share and with whom.

Concern

They don’t understand what I’m going through.

Consideration

Shared experiences create successful relationships. Young adults seek clinicians who share the aspects of their identity (i.e., race, gender, faith) that influence their experiences, thought processes and mental health challenges.

Concern

Our vibes are off. They’re not a good fit for me.

Consideration

Connection is valued above all else. Both teens and young adults cited authentic relationships with clinicians as critical to care. In building connection, teens value personality fit and seek therapists who bring their full selves to conversations.

Areas of opportunity

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When teens and young adults have positive experiences, they continue to engage with therapy and become mental health care advocates for others.

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Setting early expectations for adolescents in their journey to finding the right therapy and treatment fit is critical to ensuring longer-term success and positive outcomes.

image description For more insight into how we’re bringing this research to life, view our summary >
Section 4

Unique needs require unique solutions

Tackling the adolescent mental health crisis

image description “ We think about the ways in which we can get the right information out … ways that we can help families know more about the right solutions and be able to make the best-informed decision because they really are the experts on their child and their family. ” Dr. Yusra Benhalim Senior Medical Director, Optum Behavioral Health Read Dr. Benhalim's article for more insights >
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As needs span the continuum and evolve over time, so must the solutions.

A comprehensive approach is needed to address mental health concerns impacting families and youth today, including anxiety, depression, sleep and behavioral challenges.

Optum is addressing this need with evidence-informed solutions ranging from self-guided digital support to coaching and clinical care coordination for high-needs members and their families.

Support for every level of need

There is no one-size-fits-all type of support for mental health. Needs span the continuum and evolve over time.

Low severity
Supporting members before they're in crisis
Moderate severity
Guiding members who have emerging risks
High severity
Helping members through crisis and recovery
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Guided navigation

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    Education
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    Self-care tools
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    In-person or virtual therapy
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    Psychiatry/Pharmacy management
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    Facility-based care

Explore available solutions

Click the circles to learn more.

Access to
specialized
care

Our network of behavioral health providers includes specialists who focus on pediatric and youth mental health care, delivering care face-to-face or virtually. This helps us connect with young people in their communities and homes with their families, supporting better long-term outcomes. We also offer specialized support for eating disorders, autism, substance use and LGBTQ+ needs.

Caregiver
education
and guidance

We offer end-to-end support for caregivers and families, including online educational tools and consultations with a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) to help parents who may not have a diagnosis for their child yet. Individualized Education Program (IEP) specialists can provide guidance for navigating the school system and help with IEPs and 504 plans. For more complex needs, clinical coordination and case management are also available.

Virtual
coaching
program

Virtual behavioral coaching provides additional access to support for caregivers and children with a variety of behavioral health needs. Although it is not a replacement for therapy, it offers skill-building techniques derived from researched and validated therapeutic modalities.

Our network of behavioral health providers includes specialists who focus on pediatric and youth mental health care, delivering care face-to-face or virtually. This helps us connect with young people in their communities and homes with their families, supporting better long-term outcomes. We also offer specialized support for eating disorders, autism, substance use and LGBTQ+ needs.

We offer end-to-end support for caregivers and families, including online educational tools and consultations with a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) to help parents who may not have a diagnosis for their child yet. Individualized Education Program (IEP) specialists can provide guidance for navigating the school system and help with IEPs and 504 plans. For more complex needs, clinical coordination and case management are also available.

Virtual behavioral coaching provides additional access to support for caregivers and children with a variety of behavioral health needs. Although it is not a replacement for therapy, it offers skill-building techniques derived from researched and validated therapeutic modalities.

This is only the beginning. Optum continues to innovate and develop new solutions to support the unique needs of youth and families. By working together, we can make a difference.

Section 5

Resources

Find out how we can partner to support your organization and member's well-being >