SOMETHINGS

We’re blushing here at Somethings! We’re proud to be named a quarterfinalist in the Rising Star category out of more than 1,800 submissions for The Digital Health Hub Foundation - Digital Health Awards. These awards honor groundbreaking health technologies and innovations that are shaping the future of healthcare. Stay tuned for the announcement of the finalists, who will be revealed on October 4th.

✨ New Data ✨ Over the summer, our team (Nick Nissen, MD, Evelyn C.) conducted a study on how our peer-mentorship program impacts teens’ outcomes related to anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. We’re excited to share these findings with you over the coming weeks. The first data point: 83% of teens showed measurable improvements in depression and anxiety scores (PHQ-8; GAD-7). Our program not only provides teens with a space to feel seen and heard but also delivers measurable, effective outcomes.

For too many teens, traditional therapy can feel intimidating or out of reach. In fact, 40% of teens with depression don’t receive treatment at all. That’s why we’re bridging the gap with near-peer mentors who make mental health approachable in a new way. Supervised by licensed clinicians and guided by a stepped-care model, our certified mentors provide consistent, relatable support—meeting teens where they are. We provided teens with that safe and supportive space to turn, and if needed, can guide them and connect them to higher levels of care, such as therapy. One teen at a time, we’re committed to closing the gap in mental health care. 

Our CEO, Patrick Gilligan, led a powerful discussion on youth mental health at the Ohio Association of Health Plans conference yesterday. We were fortunate to hear from two exceptional leaders: Teresa Lampl, CEO of The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers, and Teresa Kobelt, MSW, LSW, Chief Innovation Officer at Ohio Provider Resource Association. They shared valuable insights about the current challenges and opportunities in youth mental health care. Some key takeaways included: 💡 Health plans are spending millions of dollars as teens cycle through ineffective treatments before finally getting the care they actually need.
 💡 Untreated mental health issues cost the U.S. $300 billion in lost GDP every year.
 💡 We routinely cover well-child visits—so why aren’t we doing the same for regular mental health checkups? Thank you to everyone who contributed to this important conversation.

Our team will be participating in the Ohio Association of Health Plans Annual Convention in just a few days. On September 23 at 2:30 PM, join Andrey Ostrovsky, MD, FAAP, Advisor and former Chief Medical Officer of Medicaid, as he shares his perspective on youth mental health, the evolving regulatory landscape, and more. The panel, “Innovating in Youth Behavioral Health Amidst an Evolving Regulatory and Legislative Landscape,” will explore how we can adapt and innovate to better serve youth. If you are attending the conference, we encourage you to connect with Dr. Ostrovsky, Patrick Gilligan, or Leslie Courtney during the event. We look forward to meaningful conversations and to seeing you there.

Making systems work better for kids' mental health starts with people like Dr. Mary Wilson. She’s the CEO of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and In our recent conversation, she shared lessons like why data matters more than opinions, why prevention demands patience, and why access is the first domino that shapes everything else. In our recent conversation, Dr. Wilson shared lessons like why data matters more than opinions, why prevention demands patience, and why access is the first domino that shapes everything else. Take a look at the carousel for more of the key insights we covered in this episode.

We’re excited to share that we’ve been selected to participate in the CharmHealth Innovation Challenge, taking place September 19–20, 2025, in California! Our mission is to create real impact in teen mental health through innovative, accessible, and evidence-based peer support—right in every teen’s pocket. 💙 We’re honored to be part of this important event, standing alongside other visionary teams who are reimagining the future of healthcare. Learn more about the challenge here: https://lnkd.in/dmPZBJ3k

Loneliness isn’t just an adult problem. Teens are showing up to youth development programs for connection. → Some are reporting they have zero friends → Others struggle with basic social interactions → Many are opting out of even trying, because the anxiety of failure weighs heavier than the effort it takes to engage Dr. Mary Wilson shared that when she was working with teens, the sheer number who reached out simply because they felt alone was unexpected. And if a young person hasn’t built the muscles to navigate awkward conversations or uncomfortable firsts, the gap between discomfort and action can grow so large that they choose isolation. That avoidance shows up everywhere, from friendships to classroom conversations. And without the early exercises in showing up, asking for help, or trying even when it’s hard, those skills don’t build on their own. Social development isn’t optional. It’s foundational. Especially now.

Alaska is a mental health landscape that’s hard to wrap your head around. During a recent conversation on Self Disclosed, Dr. Mary Wilson broke down just how layered the challenges are. Yes, the data shows higher rates of mental health conditions across the state, but that’s just the surface. There’s the reality of long, dark winters. Entire communities off the road system. Stigma around getting help. Rampant addiction. And major housing instability that only adds to the strain. This context matters. It reveals how deeply rooted some of these challenges are, and how place, access, history, and community all shape the mental health conversation. For the full conversation with Dr. Mary Wilson, search for Self Disclosed on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.

If you only had 30 minutes once a year with a new parent, what would you teach them? Here’s Dr. Mary Wilson (CEO at Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority)’s answer: 1) Be a trusted, trustworthy caregiver. Show up consistently. And if you can’t, make sure someone reliable does. 2) Learn how to shape a child’s behavior without violence. Many parents were never taught this growing up. 3) Communicate constructively. That means listening in a way that makes your child want to talk, and speaking in a way that helps them hear you. What would you add? Share it in the comments 📩