Fort Health, an integrated behavioral health company, has secured $5.5 million, it announced Tuesday. It will use these funds to bring mental health services into more pediatricians’ offices in the U.S.
New York City-based Fort Health was founded in partnership with the Child Mind Institute, a nonprofit in children’s mental health. It partners with pediatricians, who will refer patients to Fort Health for in-network and virtual pediatric mental health care. The company then keeps the pediatrician informed on the patient’s progress and medications. In addition, Fort Health offers training to parents on how to support their child’s mental health.
“Given that mental health concerns are now the top reason for pediatric visits, yet most pediatricians lack specialized training in child and adolescent psychiatry, our partnership ensures children receive the comprehensive support they need,” said Natalie Schneider, founding CEO of Fort Health, in an email.
The $5.5 million in funding was led by Twelve Below and Vanterra and included participation from Redesign Health, Blue Venture Fund and True Wealth Ventures. In total, Fort Health has raised $16 million.
“Many solutions exist for families who can pay out of pocket, but we wanted to help democratize access for those families who cannot afford cash-pay,” said Taylor Greene, partner at Twelve Below, in a statement. “Fort Health is making this possible.”
With this funding, Fort Health will expand its reach to additional states, including Texas and Illinois, through a partnership with NovaWell, an affiliate of Horizon Healthcare Services focused on integrating physical, behavioral and social health. This collaboration will enable Fort Health to partner with pediatric provider groups and hospitals in both states. The company currently operates in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
The funding comes as the U.S. is facing a major child mental health crisis: 40% of teens experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, according to the CDC. Texas is listed as the worst state in the U.S. for mental health care, and about 75% of youth with depression do not receive mental health support. In addition, one in five youth in Illinois is affected by a mental health condition.
These trends exist globally as well, with one in seven adolescents aged 10 to 19 battling a mental health disorder, according to the World Health Organization.
“Today’s rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among youth are at some of the highest levels on record, underscoring an urgent need for increased access to mental health services, prevention programs, and ongoing support for young people across communities,” Schneider stated. “Pediatricians play an increasingly vital role in supporting young people’s mental well-being. Models that empower and integrate pediatricians as core mental health advocates—rather than sideline them through fragmented care approaches—are well-positioned for success.”
Several other companies are tackling the youth mental health crisis as well, including Brightline and Little Otter. However, Fort Health differs from Brightline in terms of its partnerships with pediatricians, according to Schneider. Little Otter, meanwhile, focuses on early childhood and a family-based model, while Fort Health serves ages 4 to 24.
Looking ahead, Fort Health is focused on securing additional collaborative care partnerships with hospital systems and provider groups, expanding its clinical team and improving its technology platform, Schneider added.
Photo: StockFinland, Getty Images
