Is The Mental Health System Broken Or Was It Never Built To Work?
Yet today, the treatment remains almost entirely inaccessible to the average patient. Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT) is still paid for out of pocket, costing roughly $20,000, and insurers have been slow to move.
A paradox at the heart of American mental healthcare: as innovation accelerates, access stalls. Over the last five years, more than $13 billion has been invested in the sector, but outcomes haven't improved in kind. Patients still cycle through multiple failed treatments. Clinicians are burnt out, and payers are stuck making decisions with no data.
It's tempting to say the system is broken. But perhaps it was never built to do what we're now asking of it.
A System Built for Simplicity, Not Reality
Modern mental healthcare still relies on a medical model designed for acute illness: assess symptoms, assign a diagnosis, and prescribe a standard treatment. It's a linear approach that works well for infections and injuries. But mental illness is not linear.
A messy intersection of biology, trauma, environment, and social context shapes conditions like depression, PTSD, and OCD. There's no single cause, no universal treatment. And yet, the system continues to reduce people to diagnosis codes and protocol templates, often leaving naivety at the door.
This reductionist model doesn't reflect the complexity of the human experience, and it leaves patients, clinicians, and payers with more questions than answers.
The system doesn't work for anyone. Yet, the misalignment of incentives means that all stakeholders are working against one another. Payers prioritize risk management—and in the absence of meaningful data, default to spending as little as possible. Providers focus on individual outcomes. Pharma chases scalable efficacy. Patients just want relief. But it seems no one is working with the correct information, and the frustration and disappointment are palpable.
Data alone doesn't matter, because it's about how you use the data to drive change, according to Brayden Efseroff, psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer at Allia Health. 'When patients cycle through multiple failed treatments before finding relief, it's not just frustrating - it's a sign of systemic dysfunction. Decisions are being made without context.'
Ariel Ganz, PhD, a precision mental health researcher at Stanford, agrees, 'The same data clinicians need to design effective treatment plans is also critical for payers to manage risk, researchers to improve understanding, and patients to advocate for themselves on their health journey. 'Without more high-quality data, none of these parties can effectively improve patient outcomes.'
Precision Mental Health Company is addressing this issue at its core. Their AI-native electronic health record (EHR) isn't designed to replace therapists or psychiatrists, but to support them by capturing, organizing, and translating real-world data into usable, structured insights. This innovative solution holds the promise of a brighter future for mental healthcare.
Instead of extracting revenue from clinicians through software subscriptions or taking a percentage of their reimbursement, payers partner directly with Allia on value-based contracts. They're paid only when patients achieve measurable improvements, a stark contrast to the fee-for-service model that rewards volume over outcomes.
Amie Leighton, CEO of Allia Health, discovered the need for better data firsthand during years of cycling through hospitals and treatment before finally receiving adequate care. The turning point came when her clinicians had access to complete information about her and were able to communicate with each other - something that had been missing throughout her previous treatments. This personal experience, and the empathy it engenders, shaped the company's mission: to build the infrastructure that allows for context-rich, coordinated, and personalised care.
The Bigger Picture
How do you fix a system that was never designed to work in the first place? We still have a long way to go, but for the millions of Americans struggling with mental health challenges, finally, an infrastructure-first approach offers something that's been missing: a system designed to actually help people recover. In an industry where patients commonly endure multiple failed treatments before finding relief, this represents a significant shift toward care that prioritizes outcomes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNET
17 minutes ago
- CNET
6 Foods That Science Says Are More Hydrating Than Water
Summers continue to get hotter and hotter each year, and staying cool has become more difficult than ever. Staying hydrated isn't easy during a heat wave, but it does ensure that your body can continue to cool you down, without going into shock. Dehydration can show up quickly, especially if temperatures are soaring, or the humidity is delivering moist, muggy days. Keeping yourself hydrated is crucial during heatwaves, and you can do it by snacking on the right foods. Drinking is the recommended way to rehydrate yourself, but if it's too humid outside, it can be almost impossible to catch up. Water alone doesn't replenish salt or other minerals either. Thankfully, there are foods full of water and electrolytes that can help you to replenish your body's minerals, and satisfy your thirst at the same time. These are the top hydrating foods to focus on this summer. How to tell if you're hydrated Hydration needs vary based on your size, activity level and how much you sweat. Gabriela Barreto, a registered dietitian and sports nutritionist says there are two indicators of hydration level: your thirst and the color of your urine. "Drinking to thirst can be appropriate for most individuals to maintain their hydration levels and as for urine, you're looking for a pale yellow color," says Barreto. She says the only times you shouldn't be concerned about the color of your urine are during your first pee of the morning because it tends to be dark, or if you are taking vitamin B supplements, which make urine more likely to appear bright yellow. Barreto recommends that besides food and water, a hydration supplement such as Skratch can benefit individuals with active jobs and people who work out or spend a lot of time in the heat outdoors. "Utilizing a hydration product can be useful to increase your body's water stores," she says. "I recommend a hydration product with 300 to 500 milligrams of sodium and preferably about 20 grams of carbohydrates." Keep in mind an electrolyte drink without carbohydrates will help with rehydration, too, just not as efficiently. So make sure to read the labels first to choose the best option for your needs. A glass is water is not the only option if you are foods are most hydrating? Most foods contain some amount of water, but it probably won't surprise you to learn that fruits and vegetables are at the top of the list. To get the most out of these hydrating fruits and vegetables, make sure you follow standard dietary guidelines. Barreto says, "Dietary guidelines recommend two to three servings of fruit and three to four servings of vegetables for most adults." There are no specific guidelines for hydrating fruits and veggies, but by eating the daily recommended amount of produce you will be adding to your hydration, she says. It is estimated that 20% to 30% of fluid needs can come from food, including fruits and veggies. By combining certain foods, you can boost your hydration. "When looking to adequately rehydrate, carbohydrates, fluid and sodium are key," says Barreto, adding, "Carbohydrates are important for optimizing water and sodium absorption in the body." Watermelon and other melons Watermelon isn't just a fruit that is synonymous with summer, it's also highly hydrating. It's made up of 92% water and has antioxidants, important nutrients like vitamins A and C, magnesium, fiber and lycopene (a pigment found in red, yellow or orange-colored fruits and vegetables). Other melons such as cantaloupe are also made up of 90% water and are a good source of potassium, folate, as well as vitamins A and C. Barreto says one hydrating recipe to try is a cucumber and watermelon salad with lime, mint and salty feta. As previously mentioned, the sodium and carbohydrates will help the body easily absorb the water from the fruit. Barreto points out that for this reason, you'll also notice some sports dietitians recommend sprinkling some salt on your watermelon. Cucumbers Cucumbers are made up of 95% water and consist of vitamins like vitamin K, magnesium and potassium. This refreshing veggie can be easily added to salads, sandwiches, water or eaten on its own. Its high water content also makes it a low-calorie vegetable and is an ideal food to add to your diet if you're looking to lose weight and feel full longer. Squash This versatile vegetable does well as an addition to soups, stir-fries, salads and as a side. Popular summer squashes like zucchini are a good source of vitamin C, potassium and fiber and are made up of 94% water. The high water and fiber content will keep you full and hydrated for an extended period. Strawberries This popular summer fruit is full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, manganese and folate. It's an easy fruit to add into smoothies, yogurt, salads or eat on its own. Strawberries are made up of 91% water, making them the perfect fruit to quench your thirst and satisfy your sweet tooth. Many seasonal fruits and vegetables can help keep you hydrated. Getty Images Lettuce and other leafy greens Make a salad out of lettuce and other greens like lettuce, watercress, spinach or bok choy, which have high water content and provide lots of vitamins and minerals. Lettuce consists of 96% water and has folate, fiber and vitamins K and A. Spinach is high in iron, folic acid, calcium and vitamins C and A. Watercress, meanwhile, provides 100% of the recommended dietary intake for vitamin K, which is an essential nutrient for blood clotting and maintaining healthy bones. Bok choy is abundant in vitamins K and C, which means any combination of these greens is guaranteed to provide you with a salad full of nutrients. Citrus fruits If you enjoy oranges, grapefruits, limes and other citrus fruits, then eat up. Citrus fruits tend to be made up of about 80% water, making them good options for hydration. They are also high in vitamin C and fiber and are good for supporting your immune system. They're even versatile enough to add to fruit salads, eat on their own, add to water or salads and even as a marinade for proteins, such as chicken or fish.
New York Times
19 minutes ago
- New York Times
UnitedHealth Will Cooperate With Federal Probe of Its Medicare Billing Practices
After months of unconfirmed reports about a potential federal probe into its Medicare business, UnitedHealth Group, the giant health care conglomerate, announced Thursday morning that it was cooperating with the U.S. Department of Justice and responding to both formal criminal and civil requests. UnitedHealth said it had 'proactively reached out' to the Justice Department after news reports of a government investigation had surfaced, according to an unsigned company statement. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The probe appears to focus on the private insurance plans that UnitedHealth offers as an alternative to traditional Medicare. The company is the largest supplier of these Medicare Advantage plans, which are sold to millions of older Americans and to people with disabilities. The business has become a critical source of revenues to UnitedHealth as Americans have increasingly chosen to enroll in these plans instead of the government's program. But UnitedHealth, along with other major insurers, has come under sharp scrutiny from federal officials. Government investigators have claimed that the company has overbilled Medicare, and regulators have been looking into whether it also inappropriately boosted payments by diagnosing enrolled patients with additional conditions, logging them as sicker than they are. Medicare pays UnitedHealth more when patients are sicker. UnitedHealth owns UnitedHealthcare, the insurer that sells the Medicare Advantage plans, and also operates a vast network of doctors through its Optum unit. Many of these doctors treat patients who are enrolled in the company's plans. The Wall Street Journal has been investigating whether UnitedHealthcare was increasing Medicare payments by inappropriately coding patients with diagnoses. It recently reported that prosecutors had been interviewing former employees. Medicare officials have already cracked down on some potentially abusive practices. But the probe by the Department of Justice signals a broader interest by regulators into this historically lucrative business, which contributes significantly to the company's $400 billion in annual revenues. The Justice Department inquiry comes at a difficult time for UnitedHealth, which has been reeling from a series of challenges, including the brutal murder in December of its top insurance executive, Brian Thompson. In May, the company abruptly replaced its chief executive with its former chief executive, Stephen Hemsley, after the company reported disappointing results. Its stock has plummeted, and on Thursday the share price was down in early trading. In its statement, the company expressed 'full confidence in its practices,' and that it was 'committed to working cooperatively with the Department through the process.' It added that the company had 'a long record of responsible conduct and effective compliance' and that it was conducting an independent review of its practices. UnitedHealth 'is committed to maintaining the integrity of its business practices and serving as reliable stewards of American tax dollars,' the company said.
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Study Says That 'Micro-Walks' May Be More Effective Than Longer Ones—Even For Weight Loss
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." For years, doctors have stressed the importance of being active during your day—after all, research has found that sitting for too long raises your risk of a slew of serious health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. But the idea of going for hour-long walks can be overwhelming. Now, new research suggests you don't need to jam in a massive stroll into each day: Instead, you can go for 'micro-walks.' That's the main takeaway from a study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, which found that micro-walks may be even better for you than long ones. Here's the deal. Interested in making walks part of your regular fitness routine? Check out the exclusive WH+ 4-Week Walking Plan that burns fat and builds muscle at the same time. What are 'micro-walks'? In this study, a 'micro-walk' is defined as walking between 10 and 30 seconds at a time (with breaks in between your next walk). Are 'micro-walks' more beneficial for your health? Why? It depends on how you're looking at it. In this particular study, volunteers walked on a treadmill or climbed a short flight of stairs for different periods of time, ranging from 10 seconds to four minutes. The study participants wore masks to measure their oxygen intake (which can be used to calculate energy or calorie consumption). The researchers discovered that people who walked in short bursts used up to 60 per cent more energy than longer ones, despite the walks covering the same distance. (The more energy you expend, the more calories you can burn.) Basically, you may be able to rev up your metabolism and burn more calories if you do short bursts of walking versus longer cruises around. Albert Matheny, RD, CSCS, a co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab, says there's something to this. 'Getting activity throughout the day, in general, is better for people,' he says. 'It's better for circulation, mental health, and digestive health.' You're also more likely to have a faster pace when you do shorter bursts of walking than if you're going on, say, a five-mile walk, he points out. How many steps should I get per day? This is debatable, and research has shown that the often-quoted 10,000 steps a day may not be necessary. Instead, 7,500 steps or so is ideal—but everyone is different. If you've already been walking, Matheny says that aiming for 10,000 steps a day is great. But if not or if you don't have many opportunities to walk during your day, 7,500 steps may be a better goal. 'It's really about doing what you can,' he says. 'If you're not a big walker and you think, 'I don't want to walk five miles,' then just do 30-second bursts. It's more attainable.'DMX Comfort+ Sneaker $108.49 at 26 $109.95 at 2 $240.00 at You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
