Patty Gibson, M.D.
Medical Director, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Sometimes a bad day is just a bad day. But they can quickly add up and seriously affect your mental health. Imagine you are struggling with stress at work. Maybe your child has an ongoing health need that is financially straining. You might be feeling isolated and unable to keep up with friends and family. Everything might feel like it is overwhelming and the cracks are beginning to show. Although you know you should seek help, you don’t know where to begin. Finding a provider when and where you need them isn’t always easy. In any situation, it can be hard to know where to turn for help.
Mental health conditions are common. In fact, one in five adults and one in six children in the United States experience a mental health challenge each year. These challenges may occur because of a diagnosed illness. They can also be triggered by painful life events like the death of a loved one or arise simply from being stressed or overwhelmed. That’s where behavioral health case managers are here to help you navigate your mental health benefits.
At Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we understand the challenges that our members face and know that the healthcare system can be complex. To help you navigate it, we have behavioral health case managers on staff included as part of your plan.
Behavioral Health Case Managers: What They Do
Our case managers are trained to step into your shoes and understand the context of your mental health challenge. They can identify potential barriers to care and help find solutions. They advocate for members and educate them on topics that can be complicated to understand.
When facing a mental health challenge, case managers can walk you through your health insurance and benefits and help you understand what is covered. They can also help you find a therapist or counselor in your area to speak with.
In addition, our team of trained case managers:
- Identify and address factors that might contribute to your mental health, like financial struggles, food insecurity, or transportation issues.
- Refer you to substance use treatment or smoking cessation programs.
- Connect you to peer support groups for mentoring, listening, and support from others who have faced similar problems.
- Coordinate with your care team to ensure your whole person health is being addressed.
- Work closely with your family or support system to collaborate on your care plan.
- Follow up with you to ensure your connection to care is going well.
Behavioral Health Case Managers: In context
Case managers can be the added support you need when facing hard life circumstances, but many times members are unaware of all the ways they can help. For example, let’s imagine Sam who has recently lost a loved one and is struggling with extreme sadness. While grieving is a very normal part of loss, it can also become overwhelming. Perhaps Sam is feeling so sad most of the time that it gets in the way of basic self-care. Sam might not have an appetite, have trouble sleeping or sleep too much, or be unable to socialize with friends or family. When you feel this sad, it can be helpful to talk to a therapist. But Sam may not have the energy to look for one.
There are several ways our behavioral health case managers can give Sam the extra support he needs during this hard time. They can help explain feelings of grief and the behaviors that stem from that grief. They can explain Sam’s behavioral health benefits, what is covered, and also find therapists nearby that have availability or offer virtual care. Sam might also benefit from grief support groups, and the case manager can locate and suggest groups that could be a good fit. If Sam’s therapist determines that medication is appropriate, the case manager can identify healthcare professionals that can prescribe the right medication. As time passes, the case manager can also check in to see how Sam is doing. By reaching out to a case manager, Sam has found the assistance he needed and is no longer struggling alone.
Other ways Arkansas Blue Cross helps
Even though mental health problems are common, shame and stigma often persist. To help start discussions about mental health and ask for help when struggling, we launched Normalize the Conversation. It includes links to help members understand our Whole Person Approach to healthcare and behavioral health benefits. It also includes answers to Frequently Asked Questions and other resources to compliment those your case manager might recommend.
Championing Behavioral Health
As a practicing psychiatrist, I’ve worked hand in hand with case managers for over two decades. I know firsthand how valuable they are in helping people with anxiety, depression and other mental health illnesses find the right care. With the extra support, I’ve watched countless patients thrive both during and after treatment. That’s why at Arkansas Blue Cross, our plans include access to behavioral health case managers. No one has to struggle alone.
If you have questions or need additional support, speak to a behavioral health case manager by calling us at 800-225-1891. If you or your family member is having an urgent mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to the nearest emergency room.