After 13 years in a ‘behavioral health crisis,’ mom finds help through integrated care
Kelli’s story
Kelli and her sons, 16-year-old Ahav and 15-year-old Analiel, are getting used to something that has been far too infrequent for their family over the last 13 years — peace and joy.
At the age of 3, both Ahav and Analiel were diagnosed with autism. By 5, they were both diagnosed with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder and a year later, they began to experience anxiety and depression. By age 7, Ahav and Analiel were both diagnosed on the schizophrenia spectrum.
Ahav has been hospitalized over 60 times and Analiel around 28 times, due to mental health issues.
“Anything that you hear about the very difficult side of mental illness, you could probably name it and we’ve experienced it,” Kelli said.
Kelli has countless stories of navigating suicide attempts, moments of mental health crisis and everything in between.
“It got very dark,” she said, “very dark.”
Finding a solution for pediatric mental health needs
In the midst of that crisis, Kelli got a call. It was someone from an organization called Imagine Pediatrics, offering virtual behavioral health services, as part of Kelli’s UnitedHealthcare plan .
Imagine Pediatrics is a tech-enabled pediatric medical group that provides 24/7 integrated virtual and in-home care for children and adolescents with special health care needs.
Founded in 2022, and supported by an investment from Optum Ventures, part of UnitedHealth Group, Imagine Pediatrics recognized the need for increased access to care for medically complex children. They partner with health plans, existing medical providers, caregivers and community resources to deliver care that is proactive and personalized — with the goal of more safe days at home.
“We cater to the patients and the families. It’s the best care possible,” said Jennifer Tu, a member of the Imagine Pediatrics mobile integrated care team. “And it truly helps them understand how we can support them and it decreases that unnecessary utilization in the hospital, or even just simple things like calling 911.”
Imagine Pediatrics works with UnitedHealthcare to provide families an extra layer of support and help ensure families get the care they need, when they need it.
“This partnership is impactful because Imagine Pediatrics is reimagining health care alongside UnitedHealthcare,” said Seperia Preston, behavioral health therapist with Imagine Pediatrics. “We’re working together to build a brighter tomorrow for our clients and families.”
Creating wraparound support
Now, instead of making a trip to the hospital, Kelli reaches out to Imagine Pediatrics when in need of medical or mental health support for Ahav and Analiel.
“I didn’t have to go to the ER for the first time in their lives during a psychiatric crisis,” Kelli said. “(Imagine Pediatrics) was able to, through the phone, through a video chat, de-escalate both of them, set up a safety plan and then said to me ‘so, how often do you want us to check back in with you tonight?’”
In addition to care received during emergency situations, Ahav, Analiel — and Kelli — receive ongoing support from Imagine Pediatrics as part of their wraparound services. Ahav and Analiel both participate in weekly talk therapy, and Kelli has gotten dietary guidance for her sons, as well as help facilitating pharmacy refills.
“So anytime something is happening with the boys, you know, medically or psychiatrically, Imagine Pediatrics is now my first call and, and has been ever since we started with them,” Kelli said.
The impact of integrated care
“I cannot say that we would be sitting in this space without UnitedHealthcare and without Imagine Pediatrics,” Kelli said.
Kelli said the integrated care Ahav and Analiel have received have helped build their self-confidence and given them both a feeling of internal peace — now that they have triumphed past the pain.
“We took five trips this year. They’re going to school. They’re making all As and Bs, they have friends,” Kelli said. “I have a family again.”
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