Encompassing mental health conditions and substance use disorders, behavioral health is a key component of whole health. At Anthem, we believe a comprehensive approach is needed to address the behavioral health needs of our communities.
Health equity is a key driver of mental and physical well-being. Yet, some communities continue to disproportionately face barriers to access quality, culturally-competent mental healthcare. At Anthem, we’re supporting the necessary changes being made to telehealth policies that reduce health disparities and better connect our consumers with the care they need to improve and sustain their mental health.
Anthem is committed to using data and listening to those on the front lines of behavioral healthcare to gain a deeper understanding of those we serve. As part of this commitment, we developed an inaugural report to analyze more than 27 million healthcare claims and results from our nationwide clinician survey.
Our behavioral health affects nearly every aspect of our day-to-day lives. Yet despite clear connections between behavioral and physical conditions, our healthcare system has long siloed behavioral health treatment, making it difficult for healthcare providers to see the full picture of a patient’s health. At Anthem, we’re taking a whole health approach to improve access, affordability, and outcomes.
We’re leveraging our expertise, technology, and innovative approaches to predict, prevent, identify, and treat behavioral health conditions. Hear from our experts on way we’re tackling a wide range of issues.
Dr. Jessica Chaudhary on Covid-19, Behavioral Health, and an Alarming Rise In Suicide
Medical Director Dr. Jessica Chaudhary discusses the alarming rise in suicide ideation, the behavioral health conditions that put people at greater risk, and the connection between public health crises and whole health.
Dr. Sandrine Pirard on When Substance Use and Pregnancy Collide
VP Medical Director Dr. Sandrine Pirard discusses the prevalence of substance use disorders in pregnant and postpartum women and how Anthem’s approach to coordinating care is essential to improving the whole health of women and children.
Wendy Farmer on Compassionately and Effectively Responding to Behavioral Health Crises
Crisis Solutions Leader Wendy Farmer discusses how behavioral health crises are currently addressed and the importance of developing crisis systems to reduce stigma, provide effective behavior health crisis interventions, and improve the health of communities.
Dr. Charma Dudley on Reducing Health Disparties Through Culturally Competent Care
Associate Director of Behavioral Health Services Dr. Charma Dudley discusses the ways in which disparities in access, awareness and treatment affect behavioral health outcomes for diverse populations and how Anthem is increasing cultural competency among providers to address members’ whole health.
Dr. Nancy Norman, MPH, on Connecting the Dots Between Behavioral Health and Housing
Medical Director of Integration Dr. Nancy Norman, MPH, discusses the connections between behavioral health and safe/affordable housing, insecure housing and homelessness, and how Anthem is increasing access to housing and behavioral healthcare to improve outcomes.
The pandemic has pushed children’s mental health and access to care to a ‘crisis point’
CNN, 07-22-2021
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Bailey Lynn and her friends often talked about the toll the virus has taken. Still, the high school senior was surprised recently by the results of a survey she created to assess her classmates’ mental health during the pandemic: Only a quarter who said they thought they needed a therapist had...
LATINOS EMBRACED REMOTE MENTAL HEALTH VISITS AMID PANDEMIC
HealthLeaders, 07-20-2021
Latinos were the most engaged in using remote mental health services during the height of the pandemic in 2020, according to a new analysis commissioned by Anthem Inc.
Anthem Sees Different Telehealth Adoption Rates Among Populations
mHealthIntelligence, 07-16-2021
An Anthem analysis of telehealth use for mental health services during the pandemic finds that Hispanic and Latino members were the highest users, while black members were far less likely to seek virtual care.
Anthem study: Telehealth helped address pandemic health disparities, but gaps remain
Fierce Healthcare, 07-14-2021
Hispanic patients took to telehealth for behavioral health needs in greater numbers than other racial groups last year, according to new data from Anthem.
Too many men ignore their depression, phobias, other mental health issues
The Washington Post, 07-03-2021
It was another Monday morning and my first patient of the day walked in. He was a man in his mid-30s who came to see me for stress and anxiety. He appeared nervous and had trouble getting his words out. And the thing I remember most — which I see again and again with many...
Mental health toll from isolation affecting kids on reentry
Associated Press, 07-02-2021
After two suicidal crises during pandemic isolation, 16-year-old Zach Sampson feels stronger but worries his social skills have gone stale.
How To Find A Therapist That Focuses On LGBTQ+ Mental Health
HuffPost, 06-23-2021
If you’re queer, it’s hard to find a professional who fully understands your experience. This brief guide can help.
In a Murky Sea of Mental Health Apps, Consumers Left Adrift
Kaiser Health News, 06-22-2021
In any given year, 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience a form of mental illness, according to federal estimates. And research indicates only about half of them receive treatment in a system that is understaffed and ill distributed to meet demand.
Unpaid Caregivers Were Already Struggling. It’s Only Gotten Worse During The Pandemic
NPR, 06-17-2021
The pandemic has taken a massive toll on people’s mental health. But a new report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms what many of us are seeing and feeling in our own lives: The impact has been particularly devastating for parents and unpaid caregivers of adults.
