UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland established the Braddock Emotional Support Team (BEST) to offer psychological services and achieve improved mental health outcomes for children and their families living with sickle cell disease. Based on a multidisciplinary team approach, psychologists, patient navigators, and mental health interns joined the staff of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, and administrative support staff to provide truly comprehensive care to our patients.
Services provided include:
- Emotional support upon admission to the hospital
- Outpatient psychotherapy for patients and family members
- Support groups for families
- Resources to help children and teens develop coping mechanisms
- School-based services for patients and their siblings