There are only two kinds of families in America: Those struggling with mental illness and those not struggling with mental illness yet.
It’s a staggering truth — recent research published in the journal Lancet Psychiatry indicates that 50% of people will develop a mental illness at some point in their lives. The statistics about youth mental health paint a similarly grim picture. According to a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every three teenagers in America reported that the state of their mental health was poor. The National Alliance on Mental Illness found that two out of every five teenagers felt persistently sad or hopeless and that suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people ages 15 to 24 in the United States.
The stigma surrounding mental health can make it incredibly difficult for individuals and families to seek help, creating a barrier to receiving the support they need. For those who overcome the stigma and bravely seek mental health care — or who love someone seeking mental health care — the experience is too often frustratingly fragmented and delayed.
In the face of rising youth mental health crises, Broward County has taken a groundbreaking step toward implementing a family-centered technology solution that connects youth, parents and caregivers to coordinate care and improve youth mental health while honoring parents’ choices.
Championed by the Broward Data Collaborative, a collective of human services organizations convened by the Children’s Service Council of Broward County, and powered by Velatura Services technology, the “We Are Supported” Integrated Data System (IDS) is a transformative model for youth mental health care coordination. Once implemented, it will tackle the fragmented care systems that often leave families struggling to navigate complex services. Unlike traditional approaches, the IDS is family-centered and data-driven.
“We are Supported” seeks to fundamentally transform how Broward families experience the Baker Act, the state law under which people can be involuntarily held for 72 hours if authorities believe they could harm themselves or others. By using clear, accessible, easily understood language to explain the Baker Act, privacy laws and available support services, the IDS is designed to empower families by increasing information and participation and reducing stress and anxiety during a crisis.
The new system means reduced time, cost, effort and complexity, all of which makes it less likely that the child will revert to a state of crisis, and that means the potential for a lifetime of better outcomes for children and families.
With parental consent, the IDS will be able to connect clinical, behavioral and community care data into a single, unified view. By providing a clear view of children’s needs and progress, the IDS will allow families to make informed decisions. It also streamlines communication within the care team, leading to faster and more effective interventions. This is particularly crucial during the critical 72-hour window provided by the Baker Act.
Broward County’s high number of Baker Act evaluations — nearly 2,000 annually — underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions. The IDS will directly address this need by providing a data-driven approach to youth mental health care that puts parents and families at its core.
Helping families through a behavioral or mental health crisis takes a village. Far too many young people are struggling with their mental health and unable to get the support they need — and too many families are bearing witness to their loved one’s mental anguish. There is hope. The “We Are Supported” IDS offers a replicable model that, if adopted, can ensure that all young people receive the support they need to flourish.
Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, of Parkland, has served as president and CEO of the Children’s Services Council of Broward County since its inception in September 2000. With 25 years of IT experience, Shelley Mannino is vice president of customer affairs at Velatura. She resides in Fort Myers.
