Access Denied: Why Kids Still Can’t Get the Mental Health Care They Deserve

In this eye-opening episode of the Nobody’s Perfect podcast, host Jason Hopcus and co-host Heidi Baskfield of Speak Our Minds are joined by pediatric mental health expert Dr. Sandy Fritsch to explore the deep systemic failures preventing children from receiving the mental health care they’re entitled to through EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment).

Despite federal mandates, countless kids across the country are still slipping through the cracks.

Together, they unpack:

• The most common barriers to accessing EPSDT-covered mental health services
• The impact of inconsistent state implementation and red tape
• Why provider awareness is often lacking—and how to fix it
• How social determinants of health further limit care
• What families, providers, and advocates can do to fight for better outcomes

Dr. Fritsch brings clinical expertise, while Heidi speaks as a passionate policy advocate. The result is a must-listen conversation that blends heart, systems knowledge, and real tools for change.

If you’re a parent, clinician, policymaker, or anyone committed to youth mental health, this episode is a crucial listen.