Extending the Village: How Technology Is Reshaping Access to Youth Mental Health Support

For anyone concerned about youth mental health, it’s encouraging to hear about new avenues for improving access to care. In a panel hosted by the Child Mind Institute as part of an initiative funded by the California Department of Health Care Services, mental health leaders explored how digital tools are making care more accessible and effective. The discussion featured Brandon Staglin from OneMind, Tracy Brubaker from Vita Health, and Obi Felten and Dr. Kim Newell-Green from Peers.net.

The panelists underscored the urgency of the youth mental health crisis, noting that suicide rates have been rising for years. As Tracy Brubaker pointed out, “The system is overwhelmed. There are not enough clinicians to serve people at critical times.” The discussion examined how technology-based solutions can fill these critical gaps in care if developed thoughtfully and responsibly.

Each organization brings a unique approach: One Mind accelerates innovation through funding and research, Vita Health delivers virtual therapy interventions for suicide prevention, and Peers.net scales professional peer support to expand access to care. Despite their different models, all panelists emphasized the importance of co-designing solutions with young people — particularly those from marginalized communities — to ensure interventions are relevant, accessible, and trustworthy.

The panelists raised several key considerations in developing digital mental health solutions:

• Balancing technology and human connection: “Peer support is evidence-based mental health support by people centering their lived experience,” Dr. Kim Newell-Green explained. “It’s like extending that village that we all used to have.”
• Meeting youth where they are: “We are imposing a health care system on them that doesn’t really resonate,” said Obi Felten. “Young people live their lives in chat-based environments and messaging apps. They don’t necessarily want to book a 50-minute video visit.”
• Ensuring continuity of care beyond crisis moments: “What we know for youth is that their first experiences reaching out for care may determine whether or not they ever seek care again in their future,” said Tracy Brubaker. The panelists emphasized the importance of providing ongoing support after a crisis to prevent future hospitalizations and ensure sustained well-being.

As the discussion concluded, panelists emphasized that technology has the power to transform youth mental health care — but only if it is implemented thoughtfully, ethically, and with a deep understanding of young people’s needs. As Brandon Staglin summed up, “Three things saw me through my darkest moments: my family’s loving support, getting care early, and rebuilding a sense of purpose through community. If we can use technology to help young people access these same supports when they need them most, we have the power to change lives.”

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