- Young people’s mental health continues to decline, with many receiving fragmented care
- Addressing children’s mental health needs has a huge personal and professional impact on working parents
- Opportunity for employers to strengthen their approach to family mental health and drive improved health outcomes
- Cigna Group announces new multi-year philanthropy and community engagement program to improve youth mental health
bloomfield, connecticut, April 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Global health company Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) says many American children suffering from mental health issues are not receiving optimal care, and that’s because of working parents and their employment. This is making the negative impact on the Lord even worse. A new report by the Evernorth Institute details the growing severity of the youth mental health crisis and the challenges parents face, and details the specific steps employers can take to better support today’s workforce. It provides a roadmap for actionable measures.
“The youth mental health crisis continues to grow, taking a huge toll on children, parents, families, and their communities.” David M. Cordani, Chairman and CEO of Cigna Group. “To foster vibrant and prosperous societies, we must change the trajectory of the mental health crisis and address its underlying human and economic toll. We must work with employers to We have the unique ability to curb crises by engaging parents more effectively and fostering a workplace that supports children quickly and seamlessly and supports the mental health of families. . ”
Many young people do not receive any behavioral health care
The number of young people with mental health problems has increased by 28% since 2018, and the number of young people with at least two mental health diagnoses has increased by 48% over the same period. More than one in four parents report having a child with a mental health problem, diagnosed or undiagnosed.
More young people than ever before are receiving treatment for mental health issues. However, treatment patterns show that many young people receive partial, piecemeal treatment, and some receive no treatment at all. One in five adolescents does not receive any treatment within her three months of the first behavioral health examination. This can lead to further challenges, including more severe mental health conditions, impacts on physical health, and behavioral problems at home and school.
Just under a third (29%) were receiving both medication and therapy, with a significant number receiving medication alone. However, research shows that youth who receive treatment and medication have better medication adherence than those who receive medication alone.
Working parents struggle to address their children’s mental health needs and their own.
More than half (55%) of working parents have experienced difficulty obtaining behavioral health care for their children, and 36% reported that access barriers are the reason their children are unable to receive counseling or therapy services. According to the survey, working parents report difficulty finding a health care provider, making an appointment within a reasonable time, and paying for care. Lack of access to the right care when needed often results in poorer health outcomes, increased costs, and the inability of children and parents to participate in their homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.
“Behind every young person, every prescription, every appointment, there is often a parent trying to make their child feel better.” eva borden, president of behavioral health at Evernorth Health Services. “The significant emotional strain that parents and carers carry manifests itself in stress and anxiety, impacting on their lives at home, at work and in the community. It is a call to action to strengthen behavioral health care efforts, with the goal of changing the trajectory of the crisis and improving measurable health outcomes.”
Employers can do more to help parents care about the mental health needs of their families and help optimize their workforce.
Parents of children with mental health issues say the main ways employers can help are by offering access to an enhanced behavioral provider network, time off for appointments, and virtual behavioral care options. said. A working parent with a child with mental health problems spends, on average, 7.7 hours a week addressing the child’s needs. They also report up to four days a month of missed work due to late arrival, early leaving, and absenteeism due to activities related to children’s mental health.
According to Evernorth’s analysis, there are four areas of opportunity for employers to improve behavioral health outcomes for youth and parents: care delivery, customization, culture, and community engagement.
The report, “For a Healthy Workforce, Curbing the Youth Mental Health Crisis is Essential,” based on claims data for more than 20 million commercially insured people under the age of Based on analysis from the Evanose Institute, which investigated trends. 26. Evernorth also surveyed more than 1,500 U.S. parents and more than 1,000 U.S. parents with mental health issues. February 2024.
The study builds on previous research commissioned by Cigna Group that tracked the scope and scale of the youth mental health crisis. Cigna Group has increased the number of behavioral health professionals specializing in the care of young adults by 54% since 2021 in its Cigna Healthcare and Evanorth Health Services businesses.
Cigna Group Foundation Announces Post-Pandemic Acute Stress Initiatives
The company also recently announced a new multi-year philanthropy and community engagement program to improve the mental health of young people, with a focus on acute stress and distress following the pandemic. The program supports a variety of community organizations through foundation grants, corporate donations, employee matches, and volunteer efforts.
Cigna Group Foundation will prioritize grants in regions where Cigna Group serves large numbers of customers with high or very high social determinants of health risk, including: arizona, connecticut, florida, georgia, illinois, missouri, new jersey, pennsylvania, tennesseeand texas, and aimed at the international community.The application window for grants is open in the following ways: May 22, 2024and non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting youth mental health and well-being are encouraged to apply.
About Cigna Group
Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) is a global health company committed to creating a better future based on the vitality of every person and every community. We continually challenge our partners and innovate solutions for better health. The Cigna Group includes products and services sold under Cigna Healthcare, Evernorth Health Services, or its subsidiaries. Cigna Group maintains sales capabilities in more than 30 countries and jurisdictions, and worldwide he has relationships with more than 183 million customers. For more information, please visit thecignagroup.com.
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