In the 11th episode of “Listen, Mental Health Matters,” Brian Giebink, HDR’s behavioral and mental health practice lead, visits Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to explore how it's leading the way in pediatric mental and behavioral health. Division Director for Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology Dr. Avni Modi and Interim Division Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Dr. Suzanne Sampang share their personal journeys, the hospital’s rich legacy, and groundbreaking initiatives — from school-based services to integrated care and cutting-edge research. Learn how Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is shaping the future of mental health care for children across Ohio and beyond.

In the 10th episode of “Listen, Mental Health Matters,” Brian Giebink, HDR’s behavioral and mental health practice lead and guest host Chris Haedt, HDR health principal, sit down with Dr. Kelly Blankenship, associate chief medical officer and division chief of psychiatry at Dayton Children’s Hospital. Dr. Blankenship shares her journey into child psychiatry and her mission to expand access to youth mental health care. She discusses innovative approaches like facility dogs for de-escalation, rapid follow-up after emergency visits and the hospital’s role as the region’s only inpatient children’s mental health facility. From college-age programs to parent education, the episode explores community collaboration, school-based resiliency programs and pilot initiatives for outpatient care. The group also reflects on the pandemic and social media’s impact on youth, and how advocacy and education can shape the future of mental healthcare.

In the ninth episode of “Listen, Mental Health Matters,” Brian Giebink, HDR’s behavioral and mental health practice lead, speaks with Dr. Matthew Siegel, chief of clinical services for the Department of Psychiatry at Boston Children’s Hospital. Together, they explore how mental and physical health are intimately intertwined and the need for new pediatric mental health space that enhances care by design of the experience to address the under-resourced service line of pediatric mental health care.

In the eighth episode of “Listen, Mental Health Matters,” Brian Giebink, HDR’s behavioral and mental health practice lead, speaks with Todd Archbold, CEO of PrairieCare, a physician-led organization in Minnesota that provides specialized mental health services. Their discussion covers the challenges and successes of a private mental health organization in Minnesota, focusing on overcoming barriers to patient engagement and the importance of recruiting and retaining qualified staff. It highlights the organization's commitment to transforming psychiatric health care through innovative programs like the Psychiatric Assistance Line, which provides real-time consultations and support to primary care providers.

Facing the current youth mental health crisis, with many children unable to access appropriate care due to a shortage of treatment options, PrairieCare is working to transform mental health care by raising awareness and creating family-centered programs. They have established the Mental Health Collaboration Hub to enhance resource sharing and support among various agencies. Despite challenges, efforts are ongoing to develop the workforce and invest in community-based services to better serve children and families with complex needs.

In the seventh episode of “Listen, Mental Health Matters,” Brian Giebink, HDR’s behavioral and mental health practice lead, speaks with Nick Juliano, president and CEO of RADIUS, a nonprofit organization providing trauma-informed education, social and behavioral health services for youth in Omaha, Nebraska. The conversation explores how RADIUS has evolved over the past five years, why it’s important for youth and families to receive local support without disruptions in education and family dynamics, and the critical relationship between RADIUS and the broader community.

In the sixth episode of “Listen, Mental Health Matters,” Brian Giebink, HDR’s behavioral and mental health practice lead, speaks with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Director of Psychology, Neuropsychology and Social Work Dr. Jennifer Katzenstein and Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Justin Olsen. Their discussion explores the importance of providing the proper continuum of care for children, how novel therapies — like the use of virtual reality in telepsychiatry — can contribute to both physical and behavioral health, expanding training programs, and implementing programs for staff well-being. 

In the fifth episode of “Listen, Mental Health Matters,” Brian Giebink, HDR’s behavioral and mental health practice lead, speaks with Don Parker, recently retired president of behavioral healthcare transformation services for Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey. From schools to group homes to care facilities, Parker describes strategies for bolstering the continuum of care and discusses the critical issue of expanding services for both children and adults in a time of unprecedented need for mental health services.

In the fourth episode of “Listen, Mental Health Matters,” Brian Giebink, HDR’s behavioral and mental health practice lead, speaks with James Corbett, founder and principal at Initium Health in Denver. Their unguarded conversation dives into the top challenges and opportunities that communities face regarding behavioral and mental health — and why local efforts and community-informed decisions are so critical for the future. Hear about the roots of Corbett’s ambitious career path from law school to divinity school to the founding of Initium Health, and how he found his calling in the advancement of behavioral and mental healthcare in the U.S.

In the third episode of “Listen, Mental Health Matters,” Brian Giebink, HDR’s behavioral and mental health practice lead, talks with Grady Health System’s Shannon Sale, executive vice president and chief strategy officer, and Anne Hernandez, vice president of behavioral health. Their discussion explores strategies they’ve implemented to improve access to behavioral health care, including integration with existing specialty centers and new outpatient centers, as well as the creation of an employee resiliency clinic. Through these strategies, they have progressed their mission to address the social determinants of health beyond the care environment with programs to address housing, community partnerships and more.

In the second episode of "Listen, Mental Health Matters," Brian Giebink, HDR’s behavioral and mental health practice lead, has an in-depth discussion with Tom Kozaczynski, chief advancement officer at Compass Health. Their dialogue covers the evolving post-pandemic landscape of mental health care and the challenges faced by Compass Health's diverse clientele — the vast majority of whom are experiencing poverty and navigating care through Medicaid. Tom highlights the critical workforce shortage that the behavioral health field is facing and Compass Health’s strategic use of telehealth to enhance patient care and increase accessibility. The conversation also delves into the organization’s commitment to evidence-based care and its advocacy for a more sustainable funding model. Tom also shares exciting plans for a new facility that will reshape the delivery of mental healthcare for the communities that Compass Health serves. 

"Listen, Mental Health Matters" is a special Speaking of Design podcast series. Brian Giebink, behavioral and mental health practice leader at HDR, visits some of the world’s leading healthcare providers for candid conversations about the challenges they face and the opportunities to transform the patient and caregiver experience.    

The importance of mental health services has never been more evident, and many healthcare organizations are striving to improve access to care and the environments in which that care is provided. In this inaugural episode, Brian sits down with Stacey Johnson, president of Riverside Mental Health & Recovery Center in Hampton, Virginia, for a discussion about her approach to leading the growth of the organization’s services, designing new environments for care delivery and the personal motivation that drives her to help people who are in need.