Why Behavioral Health Care Remains A Struggle For Some Tennesseans | Opinion

Tennessee Voices: A Conversation with Dr. Andrea Willis

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Many black Americans are vulnerable to depression, stress, and anxiety. However, the idea of ​​seeking behavioral health services such as therapy and medication may not be welcomed by some African American families.

This is especially true for many people who grew up in communities that have historically been "tough" or simply sought solace in religion regardless of their health issues. I believe that religion and health can coexist.

While prayer and meditation are good, one cannot manage behavioral health through these practices alone. And we can't underestimate the effects of racial injustice on behavioral health.

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Being the first member of a family or social group to seek help from a behavioral health professional can be difficult to get out of your comfort zone. As we celebrate Black History Month, we must examine the history and ongoing stigma of behavioral health in many Black communities.

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We must eliminate disparities in health and treatment.

This is one of the reasons we included behavioral health in our first annual Health Equity Report, and we will continue to expand this category over time.

Good behavioral health is important in itself. But it's also important to recognize that behavioral health can affect your ability to effectively manage physical health problems. The goal is to be well in mind, body and spirit.

Consider a diabetic who suffers from depression or anxiety and requires significant lifestyle changes. If they are not mentally equipped to properly manage their diet or blood sugar levels, it becomes more difficult to keep their diabetes under control.

We found that most measures of substance abuse and behavioral health among Tennessee adults worsened five years before the COVID-19 pandemic:

• In 2019, one in five Tennessee adults suffered from a mental illness and nearly 8% suffered from depression.
• Overdoses among blacks in Tennessee have increased more than 270% since 2014, compared to about 58% for white residents.

This second statistic is particularly alarming. Digging deeper into our data, we found that only 47% of members who identified as black and suffered from depression were taking antidepressants. This compares to approximately 61% of our white business members. This shows that we have an opportunity to educate our neighbors on all behavioral health treatment options.

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People have options to take care of their health

At BlueCross, we understand that racial bias and inequality have led to disparities in housing, income, nutritional choices, and access to health care. Barriers to transportation, child care, location, and employment can make healthcare difficult and can even create complex stressors that contribute to behavioral health problems. Not only can accessing behavioral health care be difficult, but finding a therapist a patient feels comfortable with takes a lot of effort.

© Presented by Dr. andrea willis

People who need behavioral health services should talk to their primary care providers (PCPs). They can provide support and refer if needed. Health plan websites or mobile apps can provide valuable information about covered services and the providers who provide those services. There are also behavioral health teams to help with wellness planning.

Telehealth can be a good option for care because it provides more flexibility in scheduling appointments and removes transportation barriers. For those still battling the stigma, telehealth can provide additional privacy compared to waiting rooms.

For those without a PCP or health insurance, Blue of Tennessee Medical Center can provide referrals for individuals interested in behavioral health.

As Tennessee communities recover from the long-term effects of long-term segregation, it is more important than ever to remember that one in 10 Tennessee children suffers from anxiety or depression. Culturally appropriate should be a common goal for healthcare providers and insurers. We have to be intentional about it. We all benefit from a better understanding of the unique behavioral health challenges facing our neighbors.

And read. Willis, MD, MPH, FAAP, is Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.

This article originally appeared in the Nashville Tennessean: Why behavioral health remains a struggle for some Tennesseans? warning

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