BeMe Health Secures Funding, Launches Teen Mental Health Partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas

Investment will help continue platform updates aimed at personalizing anytime, anywhere access to teen mental health support

BeMe Health (BeMe), creator of an interventional behavioral health platform built by and for teens, today announced a $1.5 million funding investment from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS). This investment and strategic partnership will extend mental health support to an estimated 20,000 teenagers across Kansas, addressing a critical need as suicide is now the second-leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 24 in the U.S.

“Our kids are the future of Kansas, and they are struggling with mental health challenges today more than ever,” said Matt All, President/CEO at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. “Traditional teen mental health solutions often fall short, leaving many without access to timely support that can change their lives for the better. BeMe’s platform offers a transformative solution, and it couldn’t come at a more critical time for teens and families in Kansas and across the nation.”

This funding builds upon a previous investment from philanthropist Carrie Walton Penner through Fiore Ventures, as well as investments from Flare Capital, Polaris Partners, California Health Care Foundation, and others.

“We are grateful for the support from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas as a strategic investor and partner,” said Nicki Tessler, PsyD, MBA, CEO and Co-founder at BeMe Health. “This funding will help us build on our current app enhancements for teens, while our new partnership will further expand efforts to empower all teens — including those covered by BCBSKS — to become the best versions of themselves.”

Over the last year, BeMe has realized significant momentum and adoption as more health plans — including BCBSKS — have adopted the company’s platform in order to provide teens with real-time, personalized access to interventional mental health support. In addition, Dr. Tessler achieved notable recognition with inclusion in Inc.’s Female Founders 200 and the Slice of Healthcare 50 Under 50 in Healthcare. BeMe’s podcast, BeingMe: A Teen Mental Health Podcast, was also a winner in the Signal Awards.

BeMe is currently available as a covered benefit through select health plans, employers, and community organizations. To learn more about BeMe Health, visit BeMe.com.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas

For more than 80 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust with its members and contracting providers by providing outstanding customer service while quickly and accurately processing claims; fairly administering benefit plans and contracts; offering programs, services, and tools to help members improve or maintain their health; and operating under the highest ethical standards while being good stewards of premium dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is the state’s largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. For more information, visit bcbsks.com.

About BeMe Health

BeMe Health is a digital behavioral health company dedicated to delivering mental health interventions tailored specifically for teens. The BeMe platform provides anytime, anywhere access to engaging content, mood reflection, and skill-building activities — as well as 1:1 coaching and connections to clinical services and 24/7 crisis support when needed. BeMe was built for and by teens, with an active Teen Advisory Board ensuring the platform aligns with their lives, and its clinically validated approach uniquely meets teens where they are — on their phones — in a safe, secure, and fun environment. BeMe works with health plans, employers, and community organizations to provide a digital-first approach to interventional teen mental health. To learn more, please visit BeMe.com or find us on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231114508511/en/

"... BeMe’s platform offers a transformative [mental health] solution, and it couldn’t come at a more critical time for teens and families in Kansas and across the nation.” - Matt All, President/CEO at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas