PCORI Evaluation of Telehealth Services on Mental Health Outcomes for People with IDD

2026

Individuals with IDD are twice as likely to have mental health needs compared to the national average and are far less likely to have access to quality preventive mental health treatments. As a result, many patients and families turn to costly, ineffective, and often traumatic emergency services resulting in poor outcomes. Recently, telehealth services, which are provided through the internet and/or phone, have become a more common yet unproven strategy for delivering mental health care to individuals with IDD. The project will compare an in-person to a telehealth-delivered crisis prevention program for youth and young adults with IDD. Both interventions will be delivered within START (Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, and Treatment), a national model of crisis prevention and intervention services for people with IDD. The project will engage patient partners and stakeholders throughout the design, methods, and implementation.

Telehealth, mental health, crisis prevention

Performing Research or Evaluation

Health-Related Activities

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Legislators/Policy Makers

Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas

National

N/A