There Is No Whole Health without Mental Health

Our whole health is a reflection of our physical and mental health, our financial stability, our access to basic needs, and the communities in which we live and work. The pandemic has had devastating impacts in each of these areas for millions of Americans and people across the globe.

In addition to the medical toll, it has jeopardized the financial stability of many families, drastically increased the number of food insecure adults and children and led to setbacks for women in the workplace. Coupled with the social unrest, it’s no wonder why many feel broken, mentally and physically.

 At Anthem, we are committed to make people feel whole again.

It’s incumbent upon us to focus like never before on all the factors that shape health. It’s why we are exploring and raising awareness about connection between physical and behavioral health, and why we conducted an analysis of more than 27 million healthcare claims and a nationwide survey of healthcare providers to create our inaugural State of the Nation's Mental Health report.

Our findings revealed that while people reported more mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, there has not been a corresponding increase in treatment. This is especially true for some of our most vulnerable populations: children under the age of 12 and adults 75 and older.

This is worrisome, since healthcare professionals predict that the demand for behavioral health services will only increase after the pandemic subsides. In fact, three out of four clinicians surveyed believe there will be lingering behavioral health impacts for most Americans up to three years or longer. And history tells us past traumatic events have increased mental health conditions such as PTSD for as long as five years after they occurred.

Despite these trends, there is some encouraging news: nine out of ten surveyed clinicians said that COVID-19 has made them more aware of the mental health conditions their patients are experiencing. What's more, 70% feel their patients have been more willing to proactively bring up behavioral health issues during appointments over the past year.

As we move into the future, we will continue to leverage our data, expertise, technology, and innovative approaches to predict, prevent, identify, and treat behavioral health conditions. Remaining focused on driving health beyond healthcare, we will use our unique position in communities across the country to affect meaningful change and spread the message that there is truly no whole health without mental health.

We encourage everyone to create a space for dialogue around mental health needs and check in on those close to us or who are caring for others. Even those who share brave faces on video calls may be suffering behind the curtain. Reach out to one another and ask, “Are you OK?” When our heart and head suffer, our body does, too.

As difficult as 2020 was for most of us, it taught us how to operate in situations for which there is no playbook. That goes for us at Anthem, too.  We are listening, adapting, and responding to unprecedented challenges in a way that prioritizes the health of our consumers, communities and associates.

Today, and in the days to come, we will carry our commitment to health forward and do our part to improve the lives of all those we serve. But we can’t do it alone. We call on everyone—health and business leaders, communities, and individuals—to join us in this work to create a healthier future.