CEO: Help is Available for Mental Crisis
Daniel J. Loepp
| 2 min read
Daniel J. Loepp is President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Mental health conditions can affect anyone at any time. That’s why during National Suicide Prevention Week, it’s especially important to raise awareness that: it’s always okay to ask for help and crisis services are always available.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (also known as the 988 Lifeline). Established just over a year ago, the nationwide 988 Lifeline quickly connects anyone with resources to help. When someone calls or texts 988, they will get a response from a trained crisis counselor who will listen, provide free support and share resources.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are committed to enabling access to high-quality and effective behavioral health care that is focused on the challenges our members face, including those experiencing a mental health issue or substance use crisis. This year, we launched new care options to help members under the age of 65 quickly access behavioral health treatment through psychiatric urgent care, mobile crisis assessment, crisis stabilization and residential crisis treatment services. Members can call the Mental Health and Substance Abuse number on the back of their member ID card for help accessing these services.
A common issue
Mental conditions affect approximately 1 in 5 U.S. adults each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. To ensure people are getting the care they need, we must continue to emphasize that it is just as important to seek support and treatment for a mental condition as we would for a physical issue.
Caring for our mental well-being is urgent. The more we learn, the better we’re able to treat the mental conditions that are so common in our society. By continuing to spread awareness — now and year-round — we can help spread hope, improve health and save lives.
Daniel J. Loepp is president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Photo credit: Getty Images
