Stephanie Greer, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Akin Mental Health, spoke with Becker’s about behavioral health trends including the family-first approach.
Editor’s note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What are the top issues and trends you’re following in healthcare today?
Dr. Stephanie Greer: We’re closely following what’s happening in digital delivery following COVID. It’s interesting and encouraging to see that among all the different sectors of healthcare that went digital during COVID, mental health has continued to have sustained digital delivery now that other areas of healthcare are returning to in-person.
We’re excited to see more attention and interest in severe mental illness, especially from the digital health community. The lack of providers with specialization or training in these areas is worrying, especially as it becomes easier and more appealing for providers to work with lower acuity patients and families. We’re hopeful that digital delivery and coordinated care solutions will help amplify access to the right professionals.
Q: How are you thinking about growth in the future?
SG: We’re taking a different approach to mental health by focusing on the families who care about loved ones with mental illness. The power of activating caring relationships in mental health has been largely ignored and we see huge potential for growth in this family-first approach.
