Brightside Health Launches Telehealth Program to Combat Suicide Epidemic

What You Should Know:

– Brightside Health today announced Crisis Care, a telehealth program treating individuals with elevated suicide risk. With the addition of Crisis Care, the company will expand its services to individuals experiencing acute suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

– While telehealth has improved access to mental healthcare, the majority of virtual mental health services only treat patients with low-to-moderately severe conditions. This critical gap in care leaves lives at risk and increases healthcare costs due to avoidable ER visits and hospitalizations. Crisis Care was developed to fill this widening gap, providing timely access to specialized care for individuals with acute suicide risk.

Why It Matters

While telehealth has improved access to mental health care, the majority of virtual mental health services only treat patients with low-to-moderately severe conditions. This critical gap in care leaves lives at risk and increases healthcare costs due to avoidable ER visits and hospitalizations. Crisis Care was developed to fill this widening gap, providing timely access to specialized care for individuals with acute suicide risk.

How Crisis Care Works

Based on the clinically-proven Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) framework, Crisis Care is available to patients who are actively suicidal and/or have had a recent suicide attempt, as well as those in need of follow-up care after hospitalization. The high-touch, tech-enabled (4-12 week) program is staffed by a select group of CAMS-trained clinicians and includes 1:1 weekly video sessions, online check-ins, anytime messaging, and 24/7 call support. It also employs a structured, collaborative approach with documented in-session assessments, treatment planning, and safety plans. Crisis Care ensures safety and efficacy through the use of research-backed clinical protocols, rigorous oversight, and care coordination if the patient requires a higher level of treatment or is ready to step down to routine services.

“Patients with active suicide risk are often seen in settings where they cannot access the right kind of care,” said Mimi Winsberg, MD, Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of Brightside Health. “With Crisis Care, patients are quickly connected with CAMS-trained clinicians to get the most appropriate care. In doing so, we will change how our healthcare system operates and begin to reverse the staggering national statistics on suicide.”

Availability

Crisis Care is available effective immediately in select states, with a full national roll out coming soon. To learn more about Crisis Care, including how to access the program, visit www.brightside.com/crisis-care.

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