Kooth launches service partnership with Aetna

Partnership sees Kooth's platform delivering mental health services to thousands of Medicaid children and young people in Illinois

Kooth (AIM: KOO), a global leader in youth digital mental well-being, today announces it has begun the delivery of its services as part of its initial one-year partnership with Aetna Better Health® of Illinois. Kooth's services are now live across locations in the east, Midwest and west coast of the United States, and this contract with Aetna represents Kooth's first private sector engagement in the country.

Over 1.5 million children were enrolled to Medicaid in Illinois alone last year[1] and research from the National Alliance for Mental Illness states one in six youths in the US aged six to 17 experience a mental health disorder every year. It also indicates a substantial gap in mental healthcare access for adolescents and young people in Illinois.[2] This partnership enables Kooth to deliver its platform to the thousands of children and young people in Illinois' Medicaid population who find themselves dealing with issues related to mental health.

The partnership will initially focus on offering 11,000 young people across three counties in Illinois access to safe, confidential, and moderated content, community, and professional support from Illinois licensed clinicians. Aetna Medicaid Administrators, a CVS Health Company, has over 30 years of experience managing the care of under-resourced populations across 15 states and is well placed to support the delivery of Kooth's services to children and young people.

Tim Barker, Chief Executive Officer of Kooth, said:

"We're delighted to announce progress in our partnership with Aetna, our first private sector US partner, which means that thousands of children and young people in Illinois' Medicaid population will be able to benefit from our platform. We look forward to continuing our work together and delivering support to those who need it."

Rushil Desai, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Illinois said:

"At Aetna, we recognize the growing mental health challenges facing young people in Illinois today and are dedicated to providing support before a crisis emerges. We are encouraged by the progression of our partnership with Kooth and remain committed to delivering a transformational service to our youngest members in Illinois by providing them with access to Kooth's school-based platform."