Breaking Barriers to Mental Health Care
Getting mental health care shouldn’t feel like winning the lottery. But for many people, especially those relying on Medicaid or Medicare, it still does. Long wait times, limited provider options, and fragmented care mean support often comes too late, or not at all.
Brave Health’s 2025 Clinical Impact Report looks at what happens when those barriers are removed. Using data from more than 55,000 patients, the report tells a clear story: when people can access care quickly — and stay connected to the same clinician — outcomes improve.
When Care Starts Faster, People Get Better Sooner
Across the U.S., it’s common to wait six to twelve weeks for a first therapy or psychiatry appointment. At Brave Health, most patients are seen in about 11 days, and even sooner for those at the highest risk.
That speed isn’t just convenient — it changes the trajectory of care.
Starting treatment early makes it easier for patients to stay engaged, build momentum, and address symptoms before they escalate.
In fact, much of the improvement we see happens within the first 30 to 90 days of care. Fast access gives people a chance to stabilize, rather than spend weeks stuck on a waitlist while things get worse.
Real Improvement Across Depression, Anxiety, and Suicide Risk
The outcomes in this year’s report reflect steady progress across the conditions we see most often:
- 89% of patients with depression improved their PHQ-9 scores within 90 days
- 87% of patients with anxiety improved their GAD-7 scores within 90 days
- 35% of patients entering care with elevated suicide risk showed reduced risk within 90 days
These results matter even more when you look at who we serve. In 2025, Brave Health cared for more than 55,000 patients spanning every stage of life, from young teens to new parents to older adults up to age 102. Our patient population is also racially and ethnically diverse — nearly half identify as people of color, including 24% Black or African American, 21% Hispanic or Latino, and 9% Asian American. Many patients come to care with multiple diagnoses, ongoing social stressors, and limited access to traditional in-person services.
Why Staying With the Same Clinician Matters
One of the most powerful drivers of progress in mental health care is something simple: trust.
At Brave Health, patients are matched with a full-time clinician during their first session, with an intentional focus on fit and continuity. That means fewer handoffs, fewer restarts, and more space to build a real therapeutic relationship.
The result? 96% of patients who complete four therapy sessions continue care with the same clinician.
That level of consistency helps patients feel understood and supported — and it’s a big reason engagement stays strong over time.
Designed for the People Who Need Care the Most
The report takes a closer look at several populations that often face the greatest barriers to mental health care:
Teens & Adolescents
More than 13,000 teens and young adults received care in 2025, with over 80% covered by Medicaid. Despite rising anxiety, depression, and suicide risk nationwide, teens at Brave showed steady improvement when given timely, developmentally appropriate support.
Maternal Mental Health
Nearly one in four Brave patients was pregnant or postpartum. With clinicians trained in perinatal mental health, flexible scheduling, and proactive follow-up during high-risk periods, maternal patients demonstrated strong engagement and meaningful symptom improvement.
Seniors & Older Adults
More than 5,400 patients aged 65 and older — with an average age of 73 — received care through Brave’s virtual model. Their outcomes reinforce something we see again and again: virtual mental health care works for older adults, even those managing complex medical and behavioral health needs.
A Proven Model for Timely, Consistent Mental Health Care
The findings in Brave Health’s 2025 Clinical Impact Report reinforce a simple but powerful idea: mental health care works best when it’s timely, consistent, and built around real-world needs.
By reducing wait times, prioritizing continuity, and delivering evidence-based care through a fully virtual model, Brave Health is helping thousands of people access support sooner — and see meaningful improvement in their mental health.
As demand for mental health care continues to rise, these results offer a clear blueprint for what’s possible when access barriers are removed.
Read the full 2025 Clinical Impact Report to explore the data, population insights, and case studies in more detail.
FAQs
What is the 2025 Clinical Impact Report?
Brave Health’s 2025 Clinical Impact Report is a report summarizing clinical results, engagement metrics, and population insights from more than 55,000 patients who received care in 2025.
What outcomes does the report measure?
The report tracks changes in depression, anxiety, and suicide-risk severity using validated clinical tools, including the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and C-SSRS. Outcomes are measured at intake and over time to assess real-world improvement.
Who are the patients included in the report?
The report reflects a diverse population across the lifespan, including teens, pregnant and postpartum individuals, and older adults. Nearly half of patients identify as people of color, and the majority are covered by Medicaid or Medicare.
Why does fast access to care matter?
Long wait times can worsen symptoms and increase risk. Brave’s model prioritizes rapid access, with most patients seen within about 11 days — and even faster for those recently discharged from inpatient care — helping people stabilize sooner.
Who should read this report?
The report is designed for anyone interested in how virtual mental health care can improve access and outcomes for underserved populations.
In Short
Brave Health’s 2025 Clinical Impact Report shows that timely, consistent mental health care leads to better outcomes. By reducing wait times, strengthening continuity of care, and delivering evidence-based treatment through a fully virtual model, Brave Health is improving access and outcomes at scale. As demand for mental health services grows, these results highlight a proven path forward for expanding high-quality, accessible care.
