We’re excited to announce Twelve Below’s recent investment in Fort Health, a transformative, collaborative care platform focused on pediatric mental health.
As the nation faces an intensifying mental health crisis, children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable. Fifteen million young people in the United States need mental health support, yet only about 40% receive the care they need. This gap is exacerbated by a significant provider shortage — there are just 8,300 child and adolescent psychiatrists across the country, leading to a median wait time of 50 days for families and substantial out-of-pocket costs for quality care.
While schools have historically been central in delivering mental health support, emerging evidence highlights the effectiveness of collaborative care models in primary care. Families trust pediatricians as their first point of contact, and when mental health services are integrated into regular pediatric visits, parents and children are more likely to engage in treatment. Recognizing the potential of this approach, Twelve Below led Fort Health’s recent $5.5 million Seed 2 funding round, alongside Vanterra, Blue Ventures, The Child-Mind Institute, and True Wealth.
Fort Health stands out as an in-network, fully integrated mental health platform that bridges primary and behavioral healthcare to provide high-quality, accessible care. Today, mental health concerns top the list of reasons for pediatric visits, yet most pediatricians lack specialized training in child psychiatry. Fort Health is actively working with pediatricians to integrate mental health care into primary care, closing this gap and enhancing treatment access.
Fort Health’s technology integrates seamlessly into pediatricians’ workflows, streamlining the referral process and ensuring families are connected with the most appropriate provider. From the start of the care journey, Fort’s team conducts a comprehensive assessment, develops a personalized treatment plan, and continuously updates the child’s pediatrician on clinical progress, treatment notes, and discharge information. We think this level of integrated, coordinated care represents the future of pediatric mental health.
Over the past year, Fort Health has forged partnerships with major healthcare providers, hospital systems, and insurers. Notable collaborations include Advocare, which brings Fort’s services to over 700 pediatricians across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Through a partnership with Novawell, a Behavioral Health Managed Organization, Fort Health’s collaborative care model will expand to serve thousands of children in Illinois and Texas.
We’re thrilled to partner with CEO Natalie Schneider and her outstanding team, who bring extensive expertise from leadership roles at McKinsey, Elevance, Samsung, Amwell, and McKesson. With a diverse range of experience, Fort Health’s team is well-equipped to redefine pediatric mental health care in America.
At Twelve Below, we’re deeply committed to supporting innovative solutions to America’s mental health challenges. Our investment in Fort Health aligns with our mission to back transformative, impactful solutions. We’re honored to support Fort Health’s journey to create a future where every child has access to the mental health support they need; when they need it.