Mental Health Awareness
Millions of people across the country are affected by mental illness. They include people from all walks of life — farmers, CEOs, stay-at-home moms and everyone in between. They include people who work, perform, create, compete, laugh, love and inspire every day.
1 in 5 of U.S. adults experience mental illness.
17 percent of youth ages 6-17 experience mental illness.
1 in 25 of U.S. adults experience serious mental illness.
6 Strategies for Improving Your Emotional Health
How you feel can affect how you carry out everyday activities, your relationships and your overall mental health. How you react to your feelings can change over time. Emotional wellness is the ability to handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and hard times. Learning ways to deal with stress can improve your emotional health.
- Build Resilience
People who are emotionally well tend to have fewer negative emotions and are more likely to be able to bounce back from hard times faster. Learning healthy ways to cope and how to find and use resources in your community can help you build resilience.
- Reduce Stress
Everyone feels stressed from time to time. Stress can give you a rush of energy when its needed most. But if stress lasts a long time, this can become harmful rather than helpful. Learning healthy ways to cope with stress can boost your ability to bounce back.
- Get Quality Sleep
To fit in everything we want to do in our day, we often sacrifice much needed sleep. This is not a healthy thing to do because sleep affects both mental and physical health. It’s extremely important for your well-being. When you’re tired, you simply are not at your best. Sleep helps you think more clearly, helps you react quickly and improves mental focus. Take steps to make sure you regularly get a good night’s sleep.
- Strengthen Social Connections
Social connections might also help protect your health and help you to live longer. Scientists are finding that our relationships have powerful effects on our health — both emotionally and physically. It doesn’t matter who the relationship is with, social connections can influence our well-being.
- Cope with Loss
When someone you love dies, your world changes. There is no right or wrong way to mourn. Although the death of a loved one can feel overwhelming, most people can make it through the grieving process with the support of family and friends. It is important to learn healthy ways to help you through difficult times.
- Be Mindful
Understanding mindfulness can be simple. It means to be completely aware of what’s happening in the present — of all that’s going on inside and all that’s happening around you. It means not living your life on “autopilot.” Becoming a more mindful person takes commitment and practice.
We've Got Your Back
Living with any health condition can feel overwhelming. It can help to have your own personal care manager — a licensed clinician who can help you make sense of what you’re going through. You may be unsure about which goals are realistic for you now, or which treatment options are covered and how they work. We can provide you with the resources and information you need to cope.
Connect with a Care Manager today through the My Health Planner app at www.MyHealthPlanner.com or by phone. If you have questions or need more information, call us at 855-838-5897 and select option 2. You can also email us at CareTeam@bcbssc.com.
Health A to Z
Health A to Z providers you information and answers on many health topics. With this health tool you can:
- Check Symptoms.
- Use Interactive Tools.
- Explore the Learning Centers.
- Get Helpful Information on Health Topics.
These links lead to third-party websites. Those companies are solely responsible for the contents and privacy policies on their sites. The information contained in this brochure is for educational purposes only. It does not represent a standard of care. Your physician must determine the appropriateness of the information in light of all your circumstances. It is important to discuss options with your physician when deciding on the best treatment for you.