Nurture Your Mental Health

We’re all familiar with what we should do to improve our physical health. We know that it’s important to exercise, eat right and get enough sleep to keep our bodies healthy. But did you know that your mental health is just as critical for your overall well-being?

Just as you take steps to protect your physical health, you can also make an effort to safeguard your mental health. Learning to recognize the warning signs is an important first step. Millions of Americans are dealing with mental health issues. It’s OK to seek help.

Mental health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention* (CDC), mental health can affect how we feel, the choices we make, and how we relate to friends and family. It affects our physical health, too. Mental health problems can put us at greater risk for heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and stroke.

Overcoming the stigma

People are sometimes embarrassed to seek help for their mental health. Luckily, that stigma is fading as more people realize the importance of mental health.

If you are facing a mental health issue, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. The first step is to notice the signs of a potential concern. Here are just a few common symptoms from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services*:

Extreme worry or feelings of fear
Lack of interest in usual activities
Confusion, forgetfulness or difficulty focusing
Mood swings
Feelings of anger
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns, energy levels or social habits

Suicide prevention

Thoughts of suicide often come along with mental health issues. Sadly, suicide is all too common in the United States. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, take it seriously and respond quickly.

Call the 988 Suicide & Crisis helpline by dialing 988, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Reach out for help

There is no one-size-fits-all mental health treatment, but help is available! Talk to your doctor about next steps.

Here are some other helpful resources:

National Alliance on Mental Illness* helpline: 800-950-NAMI (6264) or, in a crisis, text “NAMI” to 988 or chat at www.988Lifeline.org.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration* Treatment Referral Helpline: 877-726-4727. In a crisis, call or text 988.

Your mental health can have a major impact on your overall well-being. Make sure you nurture your mental health to keep living a healthy and happy life.

*The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration are independent organizations that offer health information you may find helpful.

BlueChoice HealthPlan Member Resources

There are numerous mental health resources available to you over the phone or online. No matter where you are in life, we've got you covered!

Blue CareOnDemand<sup>^SM</sup> Powered by MDLIVE^®

Need to see a doctor, but don’t have time for an office visit? With Blue CareOnDemand Powered by MDLIVE, you can consult with a doctor by phone or video any time, day or night.

You can avoid long waits and high costs by using Blue CareOnDemand. In an online visit, you can connect one-on-one with a therapist to talk about issues such as anxiety and depression.

To learn more:

1. Log in to My Health Toolkit^®.
Select the Providers & Services tab.
Select Blue CareOnDemand.

MDLIVE is an independent company that provides a telehealth platform on behalf of BlueChoice^®. Blue CareOnDemand is not a replacement for your primary care doctor. You should continue scheduling office visits for regular checkups and preventive care. For true emergencies and life-threatening issues, go to the emergency room or call 911. The cost of Blue CareOnDemand visits varies by visit type and provider selected and is subject to plan benefits. Copyright © 2024 MDLIVE Inc. MDLIVE and the MDLIVE logo are registered trademarks of MDLIVE Inc.

Great Expectations^® for Health

You have access to Great Expectations for health programs that can help with behavioral health. Whether visiting with a care manager by phone or using a digital, self-service option, you can enroll in these behavioral health programs:

Adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Anxiety management
Bipolar disorder
Depression
Recovery support for substance use disorder
Stress management

To learn more and download resources:

Log in to My Health Toolkit^®.
Select the Wellness & Care Management tab.
Select Wellness Programs.
Select Health Coaching.

To enroll, call us at 855-838-5897.

First Sun EAP

First Sun EAP provides a broad array of services that can help you be your best self. You and your family members can access sessions for individual, couples and family counseling. These sessions address the following issues:

Personal concerns
Grief and loss
Trauma issues
Anger management
Marital/relationship issues
Family conflict
Stress management
Spiritual concerns
Alcohol/substance use
Workplace concerns
Depression
Anxiety

Dedicated professionals are available to serve you. Call 800-968-8143. For more detailed information about your benefits — plus helpful articles, assessments, webinars, videos, etc. — visit www.FirstSunEAP.com.

The employee assistance program is offered by First Sun. Because First Sun is a separate company from BlueChoice, First Sun is solely responsible for all services related to individual assistance programs.

My Health Novel<sup>^SM</sup>

My Health Novel matches you with free on-demand resources and tools based on their unique health needs. With it, you can access weight management, behavioral health and musculoskeletal health mobile apps at no cost.

To see if you qualify, you should:

Log in to My Health Toolkit^®.
Select the Wellness & Care Management tab.
Select Wellness Programs.
Select My Health Novel.
Take a quick, one-minute quiz.

After taking the brief health quiz, you will be matched to the program that is best for you.