Blue Cross Encourages Awareness of Mental Health Needs

Subtitle
Tips, resources available to help you stay on top of stress and anxiety

BATON ROUGE, La. – With a tight, ongoing presidential election coming amid a global COVID-19 pandemic and a hurricane season in which multiple storms have struck the state, it’s understandable that many Louisianians are feeling depression, stress or anxiety. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana reminds Louisianians that mental health affects our physical health and well-being. While everyone feels sad or stressed from time to time, if these feelings becoming overwhelming or last for a long time, talk to your healthcare provider about it. 

If you have not had an annual wellness visit in 2020, or if you put this off because of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders earlier this year, contact your primary care provider to schedule a checkup soon. Blue Cross Medical Director Dr. Larry Simon explains why an annual wellness visit is a great time to check in on your overall health status and address any concerns in this video (2:06)

You can call 1-833-848-1764 to reach New Directions, an independent vendor that provides behavioral services for the Blue Cross and its subsidiaries. The New Directions Emotional Support Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 helpline staffed by trained and caring professionals. 

Health Coaching to Be Stronger Than Ever

Blue Cross has an in-house clinical team, which includes nurses, dietitians, pharmacists and social workers. The care team supports members who are dealing with long-term health needs, serious illnesses or acute injuries to help them be STRONGER THAN any disease or diagnosis. 

Blue Cross health coaches work with members to offer support and encouragement, find healthcare providers in their network or develop skills to cope with a diagnosis. They also connect members with local support groups and community resources to assist them. 

To learn more about Care Management programs and services or to sign up for health coaching, visit www.bcbsla.com/Stronger. There is no cost for members to work with a health coach.

Blue Cross social workers share tips for managing depression and stress on the STRONGER THAN EVER: Care Team Programs playlist, part of the Blue Cross YouTube channel. 

Blue Cross Social Worker Avis Brown hosts a monthly Motivated Mindset Facebook Live event to share ideas and resources for effectively meeting the challenges of living through this stressful time. Check Blue Cross’ Facebook page to see when Motivated Mindset events are scheduled or to see recordings of past events.  

Behavioral Health Providers Available on BlueCare

Blue Cross customers can use BlueCare, the insurer’s telehealth platform, to have online appointments with behavioral health providers. BlueCare can be a good service if you are feeling stress, anxiety, or depression during this time or if you are looking for ways to get care without leaving home. 

Log into BlueCare to schedule appointments with available psychology or psychiatry providers who are trained and certified in telehealth care. Behavioral health providers available through BlueCare can help with anxiety, depression, stress, grief, substance abuse, coping with life transitions, couples counseling and more.

BlueCare is available in all 50 states and works on any device with internet and a camera, like a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer. You can create a BlueCare account at www.BlueCareLA.com or with the BlueCare (one word) mobile app for Apple and Android devices. Then, simply log in and schedule a behavioral health appointment. 

If you regularly see a behavioral health provider for care, you can ask if telehealth visits are an option. 

You can visit the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana YouTube page to see short videos with the clinical team and others discussing various health topics, including how to manage stress. Subscribe to know when new videos are added. You can also connect with Blue Cross on social media for regular updates.
For information on what Blue Cross is doing for members during COVID-19, visit www.bcbsla.com/covid19. For more information about staying on top of your healthcare needs, visit www.bcbsla.com/KeepUpWithCare. 

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is committed to our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians. Founded in New Orleans in 1934, we are a tax-paying nonprofit health insurer with offices in every major region to serve our customers. We were recognized in 2019 and 2020 as an honoree of The Civic 50, named by Points of Light as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States. 
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. We are a private mutual company, owned by our policyholders, with an independent Louisiana Board of Directors and no shareholders. We invite all Louisianians to visit our website at www.bcbsla.com or talk to us on social media.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies.