Behavioral health

Behavioral health resources for children, adolescents, and young adults

Youth mental health has never been more important. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions are on the rise among children, adolescents, and young adults. Independence Blue Cross (IBX) is committed to helping caregivers and young adults find the care they need quickly and easily.

Find the right support quickly

IBX offers behavioral health care navigation services to help our members quickly connect with quality care that meets their or their child’s specific needs. Our trained Behavioral Health team is available to:

  • Assess and understand the child, adolescent, or young adult and their family’s needs and provide information about treatment options
  • Identify in-network providers and directly connect members to care
  • Provide in-the-moment support during tough times
  • Connect members to the right resources to ensure the coordination of their or their child’s physical and behavioral health needs, including IBX Case Management for ongoing support

Members should call the number on the back of their IBX ID card under Mental Health or 1-800-688-1911 to reach our Behavioral Health team.

In-person and virtual mental health care

The following providers offer fast access to specialty care with proven approaches for children, adolescents, young adults, and families.*

Blackbird Health

Blackbird Health provides virtual and in-person diagnostic evaluations and treatment for children and young adults struggling with social, developmental, and school-related challenges. Services include medication management and talk therapy. Blackbird specializes in treating anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorder, behavioral concerns, autism evaluations, bipolar disorder, and developmental differences, including speech/language and sensory/motor.

Handspring

Handspring provides virtual evidence-based care for common conditions afflicting children through young adults, including depression, family issues, anger management, and child behavioral disorders. Handspring offers highly trained providers specializing in family psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other evidence-based approaches. Handspring partners closely with community partners, including pediatricians and schools, to ensure coordinated care.

Hopscotch

Hopscotch offers virtual care for children, adolescents, and young adults, including talk and play therapy. Hopscotch’s treatment model includes an online portal that supports therapy outside of live treatment through games, activities, and mindfulness exercises. Hopscotch can also provide parental training to caregivers of children engaged in services, as well as family therapy.

Joon

Joon’s virtual model of care is designed specifically for common issues experienced by teens and young adults. Joon’s clinical team treats anxiety, depression, stress, and other mental health challenges. They are powered by a purpose-built mobile app and therapist platform. Joon provides personalized treatment plans with a dedicated licensed therapist, along with on-demand skill-building resources for patients and support/resources for parents, including optional check-ins.

Little Otter

Little Otter offers virtual mental health care for children and their families, including therapy and psychiatry. Little Otters customized approach includes a proprietary family screening checklist that enables customized care and a comprehensive platform that combines everyday wellness tools with an award-winning child therapy app. Little Otter’s family-first approach recognizes that when one part of a family unit struggles, it can impact everyone.

Additional resources

Bullying

More than just a schoolyard problem, bullying and peer pressure can affect a child's self-esteem, personality, and outlook on life. Learn how you can help detect it and take action to stop it. Visit stopbullying.gov.

Depression

Depression affects people of all ages, genders, and races. However, it can be treated, and successful treatment begins with understanding its symptoms. Learn more about Teen depression: Symptoms, treatment, and management.

Stress

Some stress is healthy, but too much can have negative health consequences. Learn to recognize the symptoms and how to help children and teens manage their stress.

* Check with our Behavioral Health team or your benefits booklet to confirm services are covered under your health plan.

Blackbird Health, Handspring, Hopscotch, Joon, and Little Otter are independent companies.