Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness

ABHW Member Spotlight 💡 The Elevance Health Foundation has announced 35 grants totaling more than $13 million in support of substance use disorder programs over the next three years. Each grant will focus on at least one of the following themes: prevention of and early intervention in substance use disorders in youth; access to care; and quality of treatment. Learn more: https://buff.ly/4bYQhCf.

The #SUPPORTAct will help continue to provide treatment to Americans with substance use disorders (SUD) by focusing on prevention, treatment, and recovery programs and services for SUDs. Passing this important legislation will help Americans get access to the treatment they need.

ABHW Member Spotlight 💡 UnitedHealthcare Community & State of Iowa has announced a $1.5 million investment in school-based #telehealth to expand access to mental health care for K-12 students in Iowa. The investment will impact approximately 100,000 students in historically underserved and rural communities, which represents nearly 21% of all K-12 students in Iowa.

"Living with a mental health condition like schizophrenia or depression is difficult, but for many people living with #mentalhealth conditions, the negative perceptions and behaviors that arise in others and yourself are even worse." (via World Health Organization)

160 million people live in areas with behavioral health professional shortages. The #STARLRProgram supports professionals who work in underserved areas. Congress must reauthorize the #SUPPORTAct to continue the work for this important program.

ABHW Member Spotlight 💡 Evernorth Health Services, the health services division of Cigna Healthcare, has more than doubled the number of contracted providers in its network over the past four years. Evernorth has also streamlined the experience for providers and patients by removing prior authorization requirements for routine outpatient care for mental health and substance use disorders. In addition, prior authorization is no longer needed to enroll patients in intensive outpatient programs. Learn more: https://buff.ly/46bsMEv.

ABHW Member Spotlight 💡 Aetna Better Health of Illinois has partnered with Kooth Digital Health (North America), a platform for youth mental health and well-being, to provide free mental health resources to thousands of teens and young people in the state. This one-year collaboration aims to address the critical need for accessible mental health care for Illinois youth.

Today marks the second anniversary of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Since transitioning to the three-digit number, 988 Lifeline has provided vital support to over 10 million contacts through calls, texts, and chats. This milestone is a testament to the power of compassion and the importance of accessible mental health resources.

Since its inception, Vibrant Emotional Health has been the administrator of the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Today, as we celebrate the second anniversary of the transition to the three-digit number, we are incredibly proud to have provided vital support to 10 million contacts through calls, texts, and chats. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), state leaders, and our partner organizations for their unwavering support. Their commitment is instrumental in saving lives and ensuring that everyone has access to emotional support when, where, and how they need it. We are excited to continue our collaboration to make 988 more accessible, equitable, and responsive to the needs of all individuals in the years ahead.

Mental illness rates are similar in rural and urban areas, but suicide risk is higher in rural communities. A severe lack of access to comprehensive behavioral health care in rural areas is a critical issue.