Florida Blue exec: Mental well-being drives our ability to flourish, find meaning in life

In recent years, we’ve seen growing recognition for what I’ve witnessed during my three decades as a mental health professional and behavioral health executive — that our mental health is directly linked to our physical health and vice versa. If you’ve ever experienced stress, anxiety, grief or depression, you’ve likely felt the toll it can take on your body.

More than happiness, mental well-being impacts a deeper sense of purpose and our ability to genuinely flourish. When we connect with, care for and are cared about by others, we’re more positive and hopeful. This in turn drives our sense of belonging and satisfaction with life, work and relationships.

It also means having the capacity to manage life’s stressors, which is good for the mind and body. At Florida Blue we believe there is no health without mental health, and this guides how we support people and communities.

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People with depression have a 40% higher risk of developing cardiovascular and other diseases, according to the nationally recognized Lancet health and science journal, while those with serious mental illness are nearly twice as likely to develop these conditions. This interdependence is driving changes to the health care ecosystem, where mental health screening is being integrated with primary care so we can understand and deliver personalized care for the whole person.

One person dies every three minutes in the United States from alcohol, drugs or suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, one in five adults and one in six youth experience a mental health episode in any given year and these statistics are getting worse. We don’t have enough psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers to treat current demand and are facing a significant behavioral health workforce shortage over the next decade.

To improve access to a trusted professional, we must not only reduce appointment wait times, but also combat the lingering stigma of mental illness. Unfortunately, due to that stigma, it can take a staggering five to 15 years for someone in need to reach out for help. During that time, a person’s physical and mental well-being is negatively impacted.

While these figures sound alarming, there’s help. At Florida Blue we’re more than a health insurance company; we’re a health solutions company. We’ve recently added hundreds of mental health providers to our network, as well as improvements to both virtual and in-person care. We’ve also acquired a majority stake in a leading behavioral health company that’s using technology to connect people quickly to mental health support and resources.

Through our Florida Blue Foundation, we’ve provided 46 grants totaling $15.3 million to organizations across Florida helping improve access to and quality of mental health services, particularly for underserved and uninsured communities. We’re partnering with community nonprofits, such as Jacksonville’s ElderSource.

The ElderSource program supports caregivers for older adults, especially those with chronic or acute health conditions, connecting them to mental health providers when needed. These innovative collaborations accelerate convenient neighborhood access to culturally relevant mental health counseling, empowering people to find meaning, joy and purpose.

Recently, 700 people gathered for our annual Community Health Symposium and Sapphire Awards, which focused this year on improving mental health access and well-being. Organizations and individuals shared ideas for supporting children, seniors, employees and each other. The foundation awarded nine gifts for innovative work to improve mental well-being in Florida.

Locally, the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center, which advocates for the rights of at-risk girls and young women, received a first-place award of $100,000. This partner is focused on changing laws, policies and practices to prevent girls’ initial or deeper involvement in the justice system and drives for the equitable treatment of young women.

Reimagining health care will require new and creative partnerships with organizations inside and outside of health care to improve the overall well-being of individuals of all ages in our community. By working together, we can make lasting changes that increase access and meet the unique needs of our community members.

As neighbors, leaders, family members and as individuals, we must recognize that whole-person health includes mind and body. Recognizing, appreciating and addressing both the physical and mental needs we’re facing now (and in the future) is the only way we will truly flourish.

Dr. Nick Dewan is vice president of behavioral health for GuideWell and Florida Blue.

This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: New partnerships help improve access to mental health services