Future of mental and behavioral health March 25, 2020 podcast

****This is our very first virtual conference. So thank you for bearing with us as we work out the kinks of getting everyone online!

Bambi Francisco Roizen kicks off event with welcome remarks:

This is an unprecedented time as the country shelters in place. Through this time we’ve had to make some pretty big sacrifices from homeschooling our kids, to being isolated from our friends and family, to losing work or a loved one.  

Yet slowing down a bit might be good for us. Some of us are doing things we should be doing more of -- having sit-down dinners with family or meaningful conversations with friends, cleaning out our cluttered homes versus buying more stuff to fill it. It’s also good to be still, and reflective; to think outside ourselves and think outside the box; It’s also time to be grateful. So is this time actually having a positive effect? Or are the unknowns just too overwhelming?

Speakers include Alex Morgan (Investor, Khosla Ventures), Russell Glass (CEO, Ginger.io), Tim Blevins (SVP Behavioral Health, UnitedHealthCare Optum), Alon Matas (President, Teladoc’s BetterHelp); Moderators are Dr. Archana Dubey (Global Medical Director, HP Health Centers, HP), Bambi Francisco Roizen (Founder and CEO, Vator)

Would love your feedback on this event. Please post your thoughts to @vatortv @bambi100 #inventhealth

Russ Glass, CEO, Ginger: We saw a 25% increase in therapy and psychiatry sessions in the last month. The intensity is up about 11% as people's struggles are becoming more serious. The type of concerns people are having right now are around parenting, childcare, and financial.  

Tim Blevins, SVP Behavioral Health, UnitedHealthcare Optum: We've doubled the network of clinicians to provide secure virtual care. Additionally, employer customers have asked us to waive member financial liability for routine outpatient behavioral care. Thirdly, we've seen a reduction of the number of people being admitted to hospitals. If there's any one group whom you don't want to be isolating, it's patients who are compromised psychiatrically. We're seeing engagement in relationship issues and couples therapy. I'm convinced this will bring families and people closer in general.  

Alon Matas, President, Teladoc's BetterHelp: We typically see 2 million sessions a month, and we've seen a significant uptick from that. Our existing members are also utilizing the service much more. We're seeing a rise in stress and anxiety concerns. We're seeing differences across different states too, depending on how states are dealing with lock down.

Alex Morgan, Investor, Khosla Ventures: We have a number of companies working specifically on COVID-19, in terms of developing new diagnostics or therapeutic approaches.  

Thanks to our sponsors: UCSF Health Hub, HP, Betterhelp, Avison Young, Advsr,  Scrubbed, and Stratpoint.