Blackbird Health has announced an expansion into New Jersey with the opening of a new facility in Mount Laurel.
Opening on January 5, the location will provide immediate, virtual and in-person mental health care for children, adolescents, and young adults. Services include therapy, medication management, treatment for anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges, and specialized assessments for ADHD and autism.
A big part of Blackbird’s commitment to more mental health services is the long wait times to see specialists. The average U.S. wait time to see a clinician is 9 weeks. This is part of a further mental health crisis in New Jersey, where 141,000 adolescents experience a major depressive episode each year, 91,000 struggle with serious suicidal thoughts, and more than 1 in 3 teens ages 13–17 experience anxiety disorders, while 16% face mood disorders.
Blackbird Chief Medical Officer Nicole Garber explained the rationale.
“The youth mental health crisis is undeniable, and the data in New Jersey shows that a significant portion of our children are struggling with anxiety and mood disorders,” she said.
“With Burlington County’s ‘Stigma-Free’ initiative, the community is already taking positive steps, and we are here to support that effort by providing immediate, comprehensive, and compassionate care. Our goal is to ensure every family in South Jersey can get the expert help they need when they need it most.”
