Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Michigan And Blue Care Network Raise Awareness Of Depression And Suicide In Aging Populations
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Originally Published Aug 2007
Working to reduce the social stigma of depression and increase Michigan residents' awareness of depression so they can access care, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) and its HMO affiliate, Blue Care Network (BCN) of Michigan, are sponsoring a broad-reaching educational initiative aimed at educating policy makers and front line workers about the issue of depression and suicide in older populations.
Thousands of Michigan stakeholders who work with older adults will receive the upcoming issue of Advancing Suicide Prevention, a national mental health policy magazine. Funding from BCBSM/BCN will bring the magazine's next issue to 7,500 professionals throughout Michigan; these include leaders and "gatekeepers" who can influence aging populations and policies affecting their well-being -- geriatric and senior care professionals, mental health agencies and boards, public safety and law enforcement officers, social workers in hospital settings, and other professionals throughout Michigan.
This issue of Advancing Suicide Prevention magazine focuses on suicide among aging populations, particularly men, which have consistently had the highest rates for suicide of any population in our country. People age 75 and older are significantly less likely to receive depression treatment, even though rates of suicide in this age group are the highest in the United States. That makes suicide a public health problem in our nation and in Michigan, according to health officials.
Between the years 1999-2003 (the latest years for which data are available), Michigan residents age 65 and older died by suicide at a rate of 13/100,000; this rate jumped to 14/100,000 for those age 75 and older. In contrast, the suicide rate for all age groups in Michigan is 10.28. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Tragically, many of these deaths -- most of which are based in an underlying mental illness -- can be prevented, say experts in suicide prevention.
"Known as the silent epidemic, depression is frequently unrecognized and under treated. Much of this suffering is needless however because up to 80 percent of those who receive treatment recover, often within weeks," states Beth Goldman, M.D., a medical consultant for the Blues and adjunct clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Medicine.
Sheryl F. Lowe, BCBSM director of Health Policy and Social Mission, notes that "the company has a commitment to increase the health status and well-being of all Michigan residents. For the past several years, we chose to focus on initiatives such as Depression Awareness and Treatment, Domestic Violence and Abuse Prevention, Physical Activity and Nutrition and Access to Health Care. We are reaching out to Michigan communities through initiatives that include collaborating with faith leaders, funding depression initiatives through our Foundation and grant-giving to community based organizations." Recognizing that needs of Michigan residents are diverse, the Blues are also making materials available in Spanish and Arabic.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit corporation, provides or administers health care benefits to more than 4.7 million members through a variety of plans: Traditional Blue Cross Blue Shield; Blue Preferred, Community Blue and Health Blue PPOs; Blue Choice Point of Service; Blue Care Network HMO and Flexible Blue Plans compatible with health savings accounts. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more company information, visit http://bcbsm.com/.
About Advancing Suicide Prevention
A unique strategic health policy magazine, Advancing Suicide Prevention presents the state of the science and policy on suicide prevention from diverse perspectives and for diverse audiences. These include leaders and key decision makers in health care, social and human services, policy development, advocacy, education and training, research, legal and judicial arenas, law enforcement, corrections, crisis intervention, risk management and pastoral counseling. This 36-page color magazine is published by Point de Vue Communications, Inc., a Wisconsin-based magazine publisher serving the mental health and social services arenas. For more information, visit http://www.advancingsp.org.
The rise of managed health care has had some of its members singing the blues, but the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association still has major market power. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association coordinates about 40 chapters that provide health care coverage to over 90 million Americans through indemnity insurance, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), point-of-service (POS) plans, and fee-for-service plans. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association chapters also administer Medicare plans for the federal government.
