Little Otter

October is Depression and Mental Health Screening Month. Just like you would schedule an annual physical or a dental cleaning, it is important to check in on our family's mental health as well. Whether it's a child or a parent struggling, the effects of depression touch every aspect of family life. If you are concerned that you, your partner or your child may be suffering from depression, it's important to take action, seek professional help, and get screened. If you're unsure where to start, we're here to help at Little Otter. https://lnkd.in/eCUVszHx

Following disasters like Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, children may struggle to cope with the aftermath. They may be left with anxiety–particularly if they are dealing with the loss of a home or a loved one. Our Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Helen Egger MD recently spoke with Scripps News about age-appropriate ways to discuss natural disasters and support children's mental health during these challenging times. Watch the full interview below.

At Little Otter, we know that the child mental health crisis is not only about children but also about the families they live in. For children to thrive, we must address the mental health needs of parents and support healthy relationships within the family. This World Mental Health Day, our Co-Founder, Helen Egger MD shares a letter with our community to talk about something close to her heart and central to our mission: Little Otter’s whole family approach to mental health care. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/ezamyMU7

We're getting ready for the 2024 AAP National Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, FL this weekend! Tom Futch, Dana Kernik-Theisen, Kate Murdock & Hope Del Santo will be representing the Little Otter team. Be sure to stop by booth #1145 to meet the team and find out more about how we are improving access to high-quality mental healthcare for children, teens and families. Look forward to seeing you at #aap2024 soon! 

In today's fast-paced world, the challenges of parenting can feel overwhelming, and the loss of the traditional "village" makes it harder than ever for families to find the support they need. Our Co-Founder and Chief Medical & Scientific Officer, Helen Egger MD, recently shared her perspective with Forbes emphasizing the need for integrated family mental health care. "We need to treat the whole family, not just the child." Dr. Egger also points to telehealth as a solution for providing high-quality care without the logistical barriers of in-person appointments. She stresses that creating micro-communities, whether local or digital, can offer a lifeline of emotional and practical support. Read the full article to learn more about how the lack of support impacts parents and how Little Otter is stepping in to help.

We're thrilled to announce Little Otter has been selected to present at Health Plan Innovation Roundtable in Mountlake Terrace, Washington! Our Director of Clinical Research & Programs Alison Stoner, PhD and Sr. Director of Partnerships, Health Plans Kate Murdock will present to several health plans, showcasing how we are innovating in childhood and whole-family mental health to improve access to high-quality care and help shape the future of healthcare. 

"Parent mental health is child mental health. We often talk about these crises as though they are isolated problems. They aren't. They are very much interconnected. We cannot solve one crisis without addressing the mental health needs of the whole family. This is why I left my leadership role in academic medicine to start Little Otter, a virtual mental health company for children and their families. At Little Otter, we take a whole-family approach to mental health care." - Helen Egger MD, Co-Founder and Chief Medical & Scientific Officer. In a recent feature by Motherly®, Helen discusses how back-to-school can be hard on parents too and shares how parents can protect their own mental health during this busy time. Read the full article to learn more.

📢 Exciting news! Little Otter is proud to be a part of Independence Blue Cross's Connect to Care program, expanding access to mental health services for children, adolescents, and families. This program ensures that Independence Blue Cross members receive timely, high-quality care, with appointments available in less than seven days. "As part of our commitment to equitable whole-person health, we have prioritized expanding access to behavioral health care across our community. One of the things we did when looking at our members' needs was to identify high quality providers, who can get our members quick access to appointments and the services that they need." – Dr. Rodrigo Cerdá, senior vice president of Health Services and chief medical officer at Independence Blue Cross. At Little Otter, we believe in supporting the whole family’s mental health, and as an in-network provider with Independence Blue Cross, we’re honored to offer children and families the specialized care they need through this initiative. Read more about this expansion and how IBX is making mental health care more accessible here: https://lnkd.in/eEUPhNR7

There's still time to register for our virtual fireside chat happening this Thursday, September 19th at 12:00pm ET. In light of #SuicidePreventionMonth, we're addressing a crisis that often goes unnoticed: suicidality in children as young as 5. Led by Helen Egger MD, Co-Founder and Chief Medical & Scientific Officer at Little Otter and Dr. Pia Houseal, Program Administrator for Project AWARE in Montgomery County, PA, and moderated by Amy Kennedy, Co-Founder of the Kennedy Forum, this discussion will cover: 🔹 Myth-busting: Learn why talking about suicide actually reduces the risk. 🔹 Practical guidance: How to identify and support children who may be at risk. 🔹 Tough topics: Explore the role of bullying, social media, and other pressures. This conversation is crucial for parents, caregivers, educators, healthcare providers, and anyone committed to children's mental health. Can’t make it live? Register anyway at the link below to receive the recording. https://lnkd.in/eqDfXvzP

Little Otter, a leader in virtual mental health care for adolescents, released a new report highlighting concerning rates of childhood suicidality. According to the NIH, suicide is currently the second leading cause of death for children between the ages of 10 to 14 years old. Emphasizing the importance of early detection, the company says 75% of its patients with positive suicide risk showed clinically-significant improvement after 12 or more sessions. With a proven two-stage screening process and evidence-based treatments, Little Otter is able to execute, triage, and assess this at-risk demographic — and is working to turn the tide.