JWB Addresses Children’s Mental Health

Tampa Bay 28’s anchor Heather Leigh interviewed local mother Noelle Moody and JWB Director of Strategic Initiatives Rebecca Albert to examine the escalating youth mental health crisis and the critical role of early intervention. The discussion focused on how equipping pediatricians to diagnose and treat low-to-moderate mental health conditions expands access to care. Additionally, they highlighted how JWB’s strategic investments to integrate behavioral health services within two area pediatric practices – Children’s Medical Center and Evara Health – are providing families with timelier support and fewer barriers.

Mental health challenges often begin early:

• 50% of mental health conditions start by age 14
• 1 in 5 children experiences a mental health condition

Noelle Moody shared the challenges her family faced before 10-year-old son, Ford, received behavioral health services embedded within Children’s Medical Center. Moody noted that these interventions “changed the whole trajectory of our lives”. Today, Ford and her family benefit from therapy, tools, and a safety plan that have successfully transformed their daily life.

Last year alone, JWB-funded behavioral health integration in pediatric practices resulted in:

• 23,220 children screened
• 8,889 behavioral health visits
• 2,700 children receiving services

Watch the segment in its entirety below.