Molina Healthcare of New Mexico Partners with BeMe Health to Expand Adolescent Behavioral Health Services in New Mexico
Media Contact: Caroline Zubieta, Caroline.Zubieta@MolinaHealthcare.com, 562-951-1588
Albuquerque, N.M., September 9, 2024 – Molina Healthcare of New Mexico (“Molina”) and BeMe Health (“BeMe”) have teamed up to provide on-demand support to Molina Medicaid youth through BeMe’s behavioral health app. As of July 1, the support extended to Molina members ages 13-19. Through the app, users can access content tailored to their current mood, engage in skill-building activities, and receive personalized coaching via text directly within the app in a safe and supportive environment. Additionally, it offers connections to clinical services and 24/7 crisis support.
Access to behavioral health support is a concern in New Mexico. According to the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee, New Mexico has 19 designated geographic mental health shortage areas covering 28 counties. Additionally, according to Mental Health America, the state ranks 34th in youth mental health due to a higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care. Combined with stigma and other access barriers, this can make receiving behavioral health support difficult, emphasizing the need for BeMe’s in-app services.
“Molina Healthcare of New Mexico is dedicated to removing barriers that prevent access to quality health care as adolescent behavioral health challenges continue to grow,” said Carolyn Ingram, plan president of Molina Healthcare of New Mexico. “We are thrilled to work with BeMe Health to offer this innovative, life-changing platform to teens and young adults across the state.”
In a recent assessment conducted in collaboration with Stanford University, 84% of users of the BeMe tool acknowledged BeMe’s positive impact on self-esteem, with 90% finding the platform’s content beneficial, and 84% expressing the effectiveness of BeMe’s coaching. A subsequent pilot evaluation showed users of the tool reported a 20% reduction in moderate or severe anxiety and an 11% decrease in moderate or severe depression.
“By collaborating to address the pressing issue of behavioral health in our youth, we can make a lasting difference in their well-being, their overall health, and their future,” said Nicki Tessler, PsyD, MBA, CEO and co-founder of BeMe Health. “We’re honored to work alongside Molina Healthcare of New Mexico to provide resources and solutions to ensure brighter futures for New Mexico youth.”
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About Molina Healthcare of New Mexico:
Molina Healthcare of New Mexico has been providing government-funded, quality health care since 1998. The Company serves members through Medicare and Health Insurance Marketplace programs throughout New Mexico. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare of New Mexico, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.
About BeMe Health
BeMe Health is a digital behavioral health company dedicated to delivering mental health interventions tailored specifically for teens and young adults. The BeMe platform provides anytime, anywhere access to engaging content, mood reflection, and skill-building activities, as well as 1:1 coaching and connections to clinical services and 24/7 crisis support when needed. BeMe was built for and by teens, with an active Teen Advisory Board ensuring the platform aligns with their lives, and its clinically validated approach uniquely meets teens where they are — on their phones — in a safe, secure, and fun environment. BeMe works with health plans, employers, and community organizations to provide a digital-first approach to interventional teen and young adult mental health. To learn more, please visit Beme.com.