It’s no secret conversations around mental health are increasing. Although it has taken time to get here, we are proud to see more discussions taking place on a topic that has been heavily stigmatized for too long.
Celebrations such as World Health Organization World Mental Health Day today we are helping to elevate this essential dialogue. However, while these days are important, they also remind us to treat every day as a mental health day. People are constantly faced with stressors, events, and diagnoses that impact our overall well-being, a reality that the COVID-19 pandemic further revealed, making it essential that our approach to the prevention and management of these mental health problems meets these needs.
At Etna, a CVS Health business, we understand that every individual falls on a continuum of mental and emotional health needs, from moments of anxiety or stress to longer-term clinical diagnoses, and everything in between. To truly make mental health care a reality for all, we must meet people where they are on this continuum with a three-pronged approach to prevention.
Primary prevention: addressing root causes
The COVID-19 pandemic has cast a new light on how we think about mental wellbeing, as people face increased levels of loneliness, disruption to routine and anxiety. Actually, Aetna and Morning Consult data found that a staggering 65% of Americans ages 18 to 34 have been concerned about their own mental health or that of members of their household, family or friends since the outbreak began. Yet the study also found that nearly one in four respondents are unsure if they can find help to address these concerns.
Combating loneliness is one way to reduce feelings of depression and anxiety before they even start. Bring together communities who have had similar experiences, for example through forums like those hosted by Aetna. Here4U Sessions, allows people to feel that they are not alone in the struggles they face. Recent Here4U sessions for women, African American women, moms, and moms of children with special needs demonstrated a positive impact on participants’ mental health, with participants reporting a 31% improvement in feelings of connection with their peers.
Employee assistance programs (EAPs) are also valuable ways to prevent mental health issues from getting worse, as they provide 24/7 assistance for a wide range of issues that can reduce risk feeling overwhelmed, anxious or depressed. Actually, a study found that companies with EAPs see a 24% improvement in life satisfaction and a 10% reduction in workplace distress among their workers. But we need to do a better job of informing people that EAPs are more than a workplace productivity tool. Aetna Resources for Livingwhich provides EAP services, is an example of a resource that supports people facing stress and anxiety, family conflict, legal and financial problems, grief and loss and even loneliness among our members. Medicare.
Secondary prevention: early signs and treatment options
One in eight Emergency room visits are linked to mental health or substance abuse, demonstrating missed opportunities to identify early signs of mental health issues before they become an emergency. By proactively surrounding individuals with mental health resources, in their daily lives and during their interactions with the health care system, we can effectively detect early signs of mental health needs and put people on the right path toward The well-being.
For the healthcare industry, analyzing patient data is one of the most effective ways to quickly identify mental health needs. As part of Next best actions, our data scientists use consumer data on past behaviors and preferences to guide Aetna members toward decisions or services that will help them achieve their highest total well-being. For example, we use medical claims data to identify members with chronic illnesses who may be at higher risk of having a mental health problem and we proactively reach out to them with support resources.
Providers also play a critical role in early detection of these needs, including 76% report a high or moderate proportion of their patients are facing mental health problems. Equip providers with instructions, tools and resources to identify and refer people experiencing mental health problems to appropriate care, for example through Aetna’s work with PsychHubcan lead to meaningful changes aimed at preventing further mental health problems.
To help identify mental health needs in other healthcare settings, CVS Health offers mental health screenings during the MinuteClinic appointment, and licensed clinical social workers at select HealthHUB locationsproviding virtual or in-person mental health assessments and treatment planning. An effective early detection approach combines all of these measures – proactive consumer education, provider training, and integration of resources into local communities and other care settings – to improve mental health.
Tertiary prevention: intervening with treatment
Although intervention focuses more on actions taken when a clinical problem has already presented itself, it is an equally important aspect of preventing mental health needs from worsening. Mental health care is accessible in more ways than ever before: whether it’s seeing a therapist in person, connecting virtually or texting over the phone, we’re continually evolving the ways we provide care in mental health.
Among Aetna commercial members, 60% of outpatient mental health visits were conducted via telemedicine in 2020, compared to just 1% in 2019. This higher number continues this year, which is a positive development! Telemedicine has been shown to be particularly effective for mental health care because it allows for greater convenience of connecting with a provider, and it can be a good option for those who are concerned about receiving this type of care in person. Studies have also shown that integrating behavioral telehealth into primary care and increasing access to telepsychiatry has led to improvements in patient mental health.
We also know that individuals increasingly want to receive care conveniently in their community, and in a way that ties into their overall health care plan and lifestyle – connecting their health care physical and mental health to where they purchase other wellness products and pick up their prescriptions. Expanding home delivery of mental health medications to ensure people follow medication advice recovering and preventing future risks is another positive step in this regard.
Preventative care is powerful and we must not forget the influence it has on all aspects of our health, including our mental well-being. As attention to the mental health of ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities continues to grow, Aetna and CVS Health remain committed to ensuring that no one is alone on this journey and help our suppliers and business partners across the country do the same. Through this work, we can make progress toward improving the mental health of our communities, workplaces, and families.
Kyu Rhee, MD is senior vice president and chief medical officer of Aetna at CVS Health. Cara McNulty is the president of Aetna Behavioral Health. Hyong Un, MD, is chief psychiatric officer at Aetna.
