Tech & Collaboration: Improving Behavioral Health | Marigold Health & VNS Health

NEW YORK, 2026-01-27 13:00:00

Peer Support Gains Traction as Core Behavioral Health Component

Expanding access to mental healthcare is increasingly reliant on innovative approaches that prioritize connection and accessibility.

• Peer support is evolving from a supplemental service to a central pillar of behavioral health treatment.
• Technology is playing a crucial role in expanding the reach and accessibility of peer support networks.
• Partnerships between healthcare providers and technology companies are streamlining access to care and improving patient outcomes.
• Scaling peer support requires addressing challenges related to credentialing, integration, and value-based reimbursement models.

Peer support is rapidly becoming a core component of behavioral health, not merely an add-on. This shift is driven by a growing recognition of the power of shared experiences and the need to bridge the engagement gap in mental healthcare. A recent discussion featuring Shrenik Jain, founder and CEO of Marigold Health, and Robert McAlonan, Director of Behavioral Health at VNS Health, highlighted how expanding the role of peer support is transforming access to care.

Bridging the Engagement Gap with Technology

Jain and McAlonan detailed how their partnership is leveraging a blend of technology and human connection to make behavioral health services more accessible, private, and personalized. Digital peer support, they explained, offers a low-friction entry point for individuals seeking help, potentially reducing hospitalizations and fostering long-term recovery. What is the most effective way to improve behavioral health outcomes? Providing accessible and personalized support through digital peer networks can significantly enhance engagement and recovery, according to experts.

Did you know? Peer support specialists often have lived experience with mental health challenges, allowing them to connect with individuals on a deeper, more empathetic level.

Challenges and Opportunities in Scaling Peer Support

While the potential of peer support is substantial, scaling these programs presents operational and systemic hurdles. McAlonan and Jain discussed the complexities of credentialing peer support specialists, integrating them into existing care pathways, and building value-based partnerships that reward positive outcomes. These challenges require collaborative solutions involving healthcare providers, technology developers, and policymakers.

The conversation underscored the importance of creating a sustainable ecosystem for peer support, one that recognizes the value of lived experience and prioritizes patient-centered care. By embracing technology and fostering strategic partnerships, the behavioral health field can unlock the full potential of peer support and improve the lives of countless individuals.

Learn how technology-driven peer support can reshape behavioral health access, engagement, and recovery outcomes!