This is good news, and a really interesting potential model for the US and our area. A similar effort is in the works for Santa Clara County (hopefully in Palo Alto), being led by Dr. Steven Adelsheim at Stanford. Does anyone know the status of that initiative? Here's the article on it from June: Web Link

---eliminate the stigma of seeking help for mental health

Do you ever wonder when we will stop teaching that prejudice?

This is great news for our community. Children's Health Council (CHC) is offering expanded therapy services to teens and their families as well and will soon provide a free Parent Advice Line. We are looking forward to collaborating with both SafeSpace and Stanford. By leveraging the power of our partnerships, we can all create more help and support for teens and families.

Will either SafeSpace or CHC be accepting insurance payments? CHC currently does not.

Yes SafeSpace will be accepting insurance.

Susan said: "Yes SafeSpace will be accepting insurance."
That's wonderful news. Thank you! We absolutely need affordable mental health care for vulnerable youths in our community.

I am a parent of teens and I too am very interested in the insurance issue. I’ve been to a few CHC parent education workshops and I’ve heard them mention that they have a sliding scale and that they are taking another look at using insurance. I’d like to learn more about both of these issues.

CHC provides a sliding scale based on needs, not just income, offsetting the cost of services from 20-90%. The application process is simple, here’s a link: Web Link We want to offer insurance as well. It’s been difficult due to the historical lack of parity in reimbursement rates for mental health. We are back in communication with insurance providers and are convening community leaders to work on achieving the same coverage as physical health.

We hope this helps you better understand our efforts and if you have ideas, questions or concerns we welcome them.

Referring to what "Good news" posted, Dr. Adelsheim and Vicki Harrison have been working on this effort for Santa Clara County for quite some time. Here's a link to their site: Web Link

Is this the same Chris Tanti in this article? Web Link

Interesting choice of a backer.

To get insurance coverage for mental health issues, you may need to apply to the California Department of Managed Health Care for an Independent Medical Review. Go to https://www.dmhc.ca.gov and print off an Independent Medical Review Application. (There are instructions for completing this process online, if so desired.). An IMR is a review of your claim by independent medical providers with expertise in the area of your health issue. IMRs are free to the consumer and are paid for by the consumer's insurance company.
It is an easy process and the DMHC actually assigns a case manager to oversee your case. I just got a text this morning from a parent who was notified that her insurance company's denial of her child's residential treatment was overturned. (My son was approved for 14 days of inpatient care but only stayed 10 days.)
I can't help but wonder if our hospitals use this supposed lack of insurance reimbursement as an excuse not to provide mental health services. None of the hospitals in our county (including our Children's Hospital at Stanford!) provide a single bed for any youth who needs mental health treatment.

From what I understand, SafeSpace and Dr. Adelsheim's "headspace" through Stanford are separate efforts for separate counties (San Mateo and Santa Clara, respectively). I hope they both succeed!