Published by Geetu Deodhar on May 5th, 2026

Nearly one in five U.S. children ages 3–17 has a diagnosed mental, emotional, or behavioral health condition[1] but utilization is still lagging, with up to half of children who need mental health services unable to access care[2].  Adults face similar challenges. As of 2024, only 52.1% of the estimated 61.5 million adults living with a mental illness received some form of mental health service[3]. Yet despite this growing need, access to care remains fragmented, leaving too many individuals and families stuck in what we call the Engagement Gap: the disconnect between needing support and actually getting it.


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Why the Engagement Gap Exists

This gap isn’t caused by a lack of awareness alone. It’s driven by real barriers: 
  • Long wait times and provider shortages
  • Scheduling and transportation challenges
  • Geographic limitations
  • Ongoing stigma, especially among caregivers, which often delays care for children.
Many families still view mental health care as something to seek only in a crisis. But like physical health, behavioral health benefits most from early, routine, and preventative care.

Why Prevention Matters

Regular mental health check-ins help children and adults:
  • Build coping skills and resilience
  • Address concerns before they escalate
  • Avoid costly emergency or inpatient care
Research shows outpatient behavioral healthcare is linked to lower overall healthcare costs, fewer emergency department visits, and less disruption for families and employers alike.

How to Start Closing the Gap

Closing the Engagement Gap requires shifting focus from benefits offered to benefits used.
Organizations can help by:
  • Tracking utilization, not just coverage
  • Reducing friction in how care is accessed
  • Educating members and caregivers to reduce stigma

The Role of Virtual Mental Healthcare

Virtual behavioral health is a powerful lever, especially for children and families. Telehealth helps by:
  • Removing transportation and geographic barriers
  • Expanding access when local providers are limited
  • Making appointments easier to fit into busy family schedules
Today, more than 45% of adolescents receiving mental health treatment now use telehealth for at least part of their care[4], and overall, approximately 37% of mental healthcare visits in the U.S. are conducted via telehealth[5], reflecting both demand and acceptance of virtual options.

Evidence shows that telebehavioral health is as effective as in-person care for many conditions, including anxiety and depression, while supporting continuity and follow-ups[6].

For children, connecting with a therapist from a familiar environment can also help reduce stigma and improve engagement.

How Luminare Health Supports Engagement

At Luminare Health, our approach is designed to close the Engagement Gap by improving access, navigation, and care continually.

Through integrated behavioral health solutions, including our collaboration with Headway, we help connect families to therapists who meet their clinical needs while simplifying the path to care. Combined with our broader behavioral health solutions, we aim to remove friction at every point in the care journey.

Virtual access is further strengthened through options like myVirtual Care Access by Teladoc, which expands timely access to behavioral and medical support regardless of time or location.

Making Mental Health Part of Everyday Care

Life transitions like starting school, changing social environments, family changes, or academic pressures can all affect a child’s mental well-being. When families know when to seek help, and feel supported in doing so, children are more likely to engage early and stay connected to care.

At Luminare Health, we believe closing the Engagement Gap requires both access and education. By treating mental health as a routine part of whole-person care, and by supporting virtual, preventive solutions, we can improve affordability, expand access, and help children thrive today and into adulthood. To learn more about how Luminare health supports access and engagement in behavioral healthcare, contact us through the contact form below.

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children’s Mental Health Data & Statistics (2022–2023); HRSA National Survey of Children’s Health (2016–2023). (https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/data-research/index.html)
[2] American Psychological Association, “Children’s mental health.” (2022) https://www.apa.org/topics/children/mental-health
[3] National Alliance on Mental Illness. “Mental Health By the Numbers.” Retrieved April 27, 2026 from https://www.nami.org/mental-health-by-the-numbers/
[4] Breslau J, Burnett A, Baker O, Cantor JH, McBain RK, Mehrotra A, Rankine JM, Stein BD, Zhang F, Yu H. Telehealth Use for Mental Health Treatment Among US Adolescents. J Adolesc Health. 2025 Aug;77(2):277-283. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2025.03.025. Epub 2025 Jun 21. PMID: 40542800; PMCID: PMC12425465. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40542800/)
[5] Telehealth.org. “Bridging the Mental Health Gap: How Telehealth Is Transforming Access,” (2025).  https://telehealth.org/news/bridging-the-mental-health-gap-how-telehealth-is-transforming-access/
[6] Bulkes, N. Z., Davis, K., Kay, B., & Riemann, B. C. (2022). Comparing efficacy of telehealth to in-person mental health care in intensive-treatment-seeking adults. Journal of psychiatric research, 145, 347–352. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.11.003)