Helping all members feel their best
Mental health services are healthcare. These services offer emotional support, treatment, counseling, and guidance. Mental health care is covered at no cost through YouthCare MindCare. Each member is unique. And we’re ready to help address their needs.
What to do in a mental health crisis
If anyone in your family has thoughts of harming themselves or others, call 988. You’ll be connected to a mental health professional. You can also call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.
If a YouthCare member is having a mental health crisis, call the 24-hour Crisis and Referral Entry Services (CARES) line at 800-345-9049 (TTY: 773-523-4504). It serves all of Illinois. The CARES line staff will help direct you to the care the member needs. In some cases, CARES will send a Mobile Crisis Response worker to the place of the person in crisis within 2 hours.
What MindCare covers
Mental health is a central part of wellness. That’s why MindCare covers a large range of mental health services for youth. You don’t need a referral for this care. Members can visit behavioral health providers in our network. Some in-network providers also offer telehealth or virtual health appointments.
In-person counseling and therapy
- In-network providers include specialists. They’re trained to serve the unique needs of people like:
- LGBTQ+ youth
- Children and teens with developmental disabilities
- Survivors of human trafficking
- Members at high risk of suicide (Zero Suicide program)
Virtual mental health care (for youth age 13 and older)
- Care for eating disorders
- Social skills development
- Help for teens with loneliness, anxiety, and depression
Inpatient, outpatient, and community services
- Inpatient services (hospital stays)
- Outpatient partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Community and outpatient services in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Mental Health Rehab Option Services
Prescriptions
- Covered at no cost when filled at an in-network pharmacy
- Guardians must give consent for some drugs to be prescribed
Substance use treatment
- Substance use disorder (SUD) services are covered. YouthCare partners with the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR). Covered treatment includes:
- Inpatient SUD detoxification services (once every 60 days)
- Outpatient SUD services
- Intensive outpatient care
- Services to screen, test, and assess
There are a few types of mental health care that aren’t covered. These are:
- Hypnotherapy
- Biofeedback
- Experimental procedures or non-drug therapies
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Reach out to your GuidedCare Care Coordinator to discuss any mental health needs. You can also call Member Services. Or speak to the member’s primary care provider.
More MindCare support
How GuidedCare will help
GuidedCare Care Coordinators will work with members and caregivers on a care plan to meet mental health goals. The Care Coordinator can also suggest and help members enroll in other support programs like those below.
Pathways to Success
Members are eligible for Pathways to Success. It’s a program for youth with complex mental health needs. Pathways to Success coordinates intensive mental health care. It also provides some services at home and in the community.
R.E.A.C.H.
The R.E.A.C.H. program helps children with depression. Care managers connect members and their parents to resources and support. These can include animal-assisted therapy, YMCA programs, art therapy, and more.
Pyx Health
The Pyx Health mobile app supports teens who are lonely, anxious, and depressed. Eligible members can connect with trained staff 24/7. Download the app from the Apple Store.
Sign up at Pyx Health
Main Stay Therapeutic Farm
In this program, youth age 6 to 18 go to a working farm for animal-assisted learning. They can spend time with farm animals and groups of their peers. The program serves children who live within 15 miles of Richmond, Illinois.
Resources in the community
Reach out to the Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) Service Network for services for children and families. Learn more at TAP.
Contact the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) to learn about mental health treatment.
If a member is trans or questioning, they can find help. There are people who understand. Youth can get peer support and resources from Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860.