New Bend Health Study Finds 78% of Youth with Oppositional Symptoms Improved During Care

Research shows the whole family benefits as symptoms improve with quality pediatric mental health care

MADISON, Wis., July 14th, 2026 – Bend Health, a national provider of pediatric mental health care for children, teens, and families, today announced findings from a new peer-reviewed study published in JMIR Pediatrics & Parenting showing improvement in 78% of children and adolescents with mild-to-severe oppositional symptoms during care through Bend's virtual mental health programs. Notably, 40% of these children recovered with symptoms that were no longer clinically significant. 

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The retrospective analysis of 3,781 families also found that as a child’s symptoms improved, caregivers experienced measurable reductions in stress, burnout and sleep issues.

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Oppositional symptoms can include frequent arguments, defiance, irritability, emotional outbursts, and difficulty following rules. While common during development, persistent or severe symptoms often signal underlying mental health conditions, such as ADHD, depression, or oppositional defiant disorder. The study calls attention to the fact that caring for a child with these symptoms also increases caregiver stress and disrupts sleep.

Key Findings: 

• Rapid improvement: Researchers found that the largest improvements occurred during the first several months with Bend, even in those with less severe symptoms. 
• Symptom reduction: At approximately four months in care, children with mild symptoms experienced an estimated 28% reduction in oppositional symptoms, while those with moderate-to-severe symptoms experienced an estimated 34% reduction.
• Caregiver impact: At the start of care, higher oppositional symptom severity directly correlated with higher levels of caregiver stress, burnout, and sleep deprivation. A shift from mild to severe increased the odds of caregiver stress by as much as 184%.
• Shared recovery: Caregivers experienced faster relief from stress and burnout when their child’s symptoms improved quickly.

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"Families are often told to wait and see if behavioral challenges improve on their own," said Dr. Monika Roots, child and adolescent psychiatrist, co-founder, and president of Bend Health. "But this research reinforces why early intervention matters. These behaviors can place a tremendous burden on parents and caregivers, affecting sleep, work productivity, and overall family functioning. The sooner families can access support, the sooner they can begin building healthier patterns and stronger relationships."

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The study also offers evidence supporting Bend's family-centered approach to care. Rather than focusing exclusively on the child, Bend's model incorporates caregivers into treatment planning and uses measurement-based care to tailor support based on each family's needs.

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The peer-reviewed publication adds to Bend’s growing body of research demonstrating the effectiveness of virtual pediatric mental health care and underscores the broader impact of addressing children's mental health needs before challenges escalate.

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About Bend Health, Inc. 

Bend Health, Inc., a Lyra Health company, is a national provider of pediatric mental health care services for children and families, is on a mission to improve access and reduce the cost of high-quality, expert mental health care. Bend is revolutionizing treatment through its unique collaborative care model that includes coaches, therapists, and psychiatric providers who work with families to provide comprehensive, personalized care plans that help children feel better today, and thrive tomorrow. Through measurement-based care, Bend achieves better outcomes, supporting happier and healthier kids and families, with 14 peer-reviewed published studies demonstrating the effectiveness of the model. Bend’s services cover 20M kids through partnerships with leading insurers, employers, and health systems, and self-pay. For more information, visit www.BendHealth.com  

Press Contact: Britta Franson, britta.franson@bendhealth.com   

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