As a father of three kids in Colorado, Paul Graf, founder and CEO of Healthy Young Minds, understands firsthand how difficult it can be to find quality mental health care for children. His oldest child has autism, and like many families in similar situations, they struggled to access the support they needed. Living in what is often called a “therapy desert,” where specialized care was scarce, only made the process more frustrating and disheartening.
Determined to change this reality, Graf made a bold decision. About six years ago, he put his successful career as an investor and entrepreneur on hold to establish a pediatric mental health clinic in his local Colorado community. This clinic, Vail Mind Center, quickly became a vital resource for families seeking care. However, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Graf made a discovery that would reshape his vision for the future.
“I was like, ‘My gosh, if we can have this kind of impact virtually, I can do much more than just what we’re doing here in our county,’” he said in an interview.
He saw that the vast majority of the clinic’s patients were thriving through virtual care. This realization was a turning point. If telehealth was effective at a local level, why not expand access to children across multiple states? The potential to reach more families—especially those in underserved areas—was too great to ignore.
The Birth of Healthy Young Minds
Three years ago, Graf took his vision to the next level by founding Healthy Young Minds, an online youth mental health company. This innovative approach to pediatric care quickly gained recognition. Just this month, the company was crowned the winner of MedCity News’ INVEST Pitch Perfect contest, which focused on pediatric mental health solutions. Out of six participating companies, Healthy Young Minds stood out as the leader in the space.
Headquartered in Denver, the startup provides comprehensive mental health services for children facing a range of challenges, including autism, anxiety, and depression. The process begins with an initial evaluation, allowing families to be matched with the right services and therapists. From there, children can begin their teletherapy sessions on a schedule that works for them.
Healthy Young Minds offers a diverse array of therapeutic services, including:
- Psychological testing and diagnosis
- Art therapy
- Music therapy
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
These varied services ensure that children receive care tailored to their unique needs. The company collaborates with both Medicaid and commercial insurance providers, ensuring accessibility for as many families as possible. Currently, Healthy Young Minds operates in six states: California, Colorado, Ohio, Florida, Texas, and Georgia. With about 35 million lives under contract, the startup has already made a significant impact.
Standing Out in a Crowded Market
While several other companies also focus on youth behavioral health—such as Brightline—Healthy Young Minds has a key differentiator: its commitment to accepting Medicaid.
“It’s our goal and plan to be the leading Medicaid provider for kids across the country. And there’s very little competition out there right now,” Graf said. “I expect that to change as we grow and demonstrate the viability of serving Medicaid, and it’s very rewarding. So many of the folks out there that are working towards serving children, they don’t take insurance at all, or they take commercial insurance. It’s the exception if anyone’s out there taking Medicaid. There’s a lot of competition out there to serve kids. When I look at what I think is so exciting about Healthy Young Minds, it’s that we have a model that is focused on serving the most underserved and the most needy in the country.”
This focus on Medicaid is crucial. Nearly 40 million children are enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP, yet a staggering number struggle to find a mental health provider willing to accept their insurance. By filling this gap, Healthy Young Minds is changing the landscape of pediatric mental health care and making it more inclusive.
Funding and Future Growth
Healthy Young Minds has already secured significant financial backing. To date, the company has raised $6 million, with Graf personally contributing about half of that amount. However, this is just the beginning. The startup is currently in the process of raising its Series A funding round, which will support its ambitious expansion plans.
This new funding will be allocated toward:
- Hiring more clinicians to meet the growing demand for services
- Developing cutting-edge technology to enhance the teletherapy experience
- Expanding into additional states to serve even more children and families
- Strengthening partnerships with health systems and insurers
Looking ahead, the company is focused on engaging with as many Medicaid plans as possible while “retaining the absolute highest quality care,” Graf emphasized.
By leveraging technology, prioritizing Medicaid accessibility, and continuously expanding its reach, Healthy Young Minds is revolutionizing how children receive mental health care. With a mission centered on supporting underserved communities, the company is not just providing therapy—it’s transforming lives.
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