Bryan Simms, a dedicated professional with 16 years of experience at Magellan Health, serves as the director of proposals. In his role he oversees a team responsible for crafting customized, competitive, and most importantly compliant proposals to meet the unique behavioral health needs of employers. Additionally, Simms serves as the product liaison for iMclusion, an employer diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) solution, where he plays a pivotal role in overseeing product development, driving customer implementation, managing the relationship between Magellan and its vendor, and fostering strategic enhancements to improve product efficiency and the overall customer experience.

Continue reading to learn more about iMclusion, and other ways in which Simms is encouraging DEI initiatives at Magellan and other companies:

What new and innovative projects are you currently working on?

In August 2023 we launched iMclusion which is Magellan’s first DEI solution. It’s designed to help develop inclusive and culturally competent organizations and individuals as well as foster a safe work environment for employees of all backgrounds to feel valued for who they are and what they bring to their organization. Since not every organization is at the same level of DEI readiness, iMclusion is able to assist our customers wherever they are on their DEI journey. We assist customers by first measuring their organizational readiness, meaning their ability to initiate, implement, and maintain a successful DEI program, and providing them with recommendations and deliverables to achieve their desired goals.

We then turn our focus to training with an emphasis on inspiring the employees to positively change their perspectives and create a DEI friendly culture within the organization. We found throughout the research that you can’t mandate DEI or treat it like compliance training because employees could end up viewing it as inauthentic. So, it should be viewed as organic to have any long-term success. Lastly, we guide customers through the establishment of a DEI council and ongoing support. The job of the council is to drive cultural change by creating accountability for the company’s DEI strategy as well as promoting a healthy work environment that fosters engagement and productivity.

I’m also proud to be an inaugural member of Magellan’s DEI council. We’re striving to persistently promote cultural awareness and competency as well as sensitivity across Magellan at every opportunity. We aim to create an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered. And we do this by cultivating and embracing their unique ideas, talents, and background.

Why is Magellan Health the best place to do these projects?

Magellan has a commitment to total wellbeing as well as valuing outside the box thinking. DEI is not looked at in our industry as a necessary component of a viable behavioral health and wellbeing solution. But Magellan’s willingness to challenge the status quo of what behavioral health and wellbeing looks like fostered the type of innovation that recognizes DEI necessary as a crucial piece to any holistic behavioral health and wellbeing solution.

What are your thoughts on Magellan’s culture? How has that culture impacted your projects?

Magellan promotes an environment of collaborations amongst our many different teams. Diversity of thought increases innovation and improves overall employee satisfaction, all of which allows us to serve our customers better and continues to demonstrate why Magellan is an industry leader in behavioral health.

This year’s theme for National Case Management Week is keeping the person at the heart of collaborative care. Celebrated the week of October 8-14, we’re recognizing the crucial role of case managers on healthcare teams. These individuals have the important responsibility navigating the complex healthcare system to facilitate care coordination and connecting members to the resources they need.

We’re spotlighting Valerie Lees, senior care manager for Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania. Lees is responsible for reviewing and approving mental health and substance use disorder services for members across five Pennsylvania counties and assisting providers with patient discharge, planning, and care coordination to provide the member with direct assistance.

Continue reading to learn more about what Lees does as a case manager and what National Case Management Week means to her:

What exciting projects are you currently working on as a case manager?

I’m excited to be part of a few very active and ongoing projects. One of them focuses on increasing care coordination, especially for those members in any kind of 24-hour level of care. Care coordination involves meeting with our 24-hour level of care treatment providers and in these meetings, we brainstorm, discuss, and collaborate on ways to assist the member to increase their community tenure. We look at many different factors, from the members’ clinical needs to their social needs.

I’m also working with a co-worker on presenting a trauma training that will be presented to all Magellan staff. This is an area of interest of mine and it’s great to be part of educating and learning about topics like trauma informed care and best practices for members who have experienced trauma.

Lastly, myself and other members of the 24-hour level of care team at Magellan will take part in a volunteer project at a local shelter in Lehigh Valley where we will be preparing and serving lunch for the shelter’s residents. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community.

Why is Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania the best place to do these projects?

Magellan has a large skilled and diverse staff, working with so many talented people does create the best environment to work on projects. Many of our members have complex needs that go beyond the clinical realm and it’s nice to have so many talented people come together to find new ways to help improve the quality of care our members receive and ultimately the quality of their lives.

What are your thoughts on the culture here at Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania? How has that culture had an impact on your projects?

I think the culture is truly one of connection and collaboration. I have always had the sense that everybody that works here, no matter what they do in what department, has a shared goal to improve the care and quality of our members lives. The Magellan managers are always encouraging my colleagues and I to think outside the box. I feel very supported in that way. It’s really a culture where projects can thrive because of this out-of-the-box thinking where people’s voices are heard.

October 8-14 is National Case Management Week. How did you first get involved with case management and what are some of the challenges and rewards of working in this field?

I started in case management when I worked in inpatient psychiatric hospitals. I met with case managers there who were discharge planning for patients and started meeting with case managers from different insurance companies as well. I started collaborating with them quite a bit, that’s when I really got a taste of case management. Ultimately, the goal is always to collaborate and figure out different ways to help people. I think that case management goes beyond just supporting people with their mental health or substance use disorder challenges, it’s all encompassing. A case manager looks at the whole person. So not only are we looking at what we can do treatment wise for any mental health challenges or substance use disorder challenges that a member may have, but we’re also looking at their social determinants of health issues as well.

What does it mean to be a case manager? Is there anything you’d like to highlight about this field for National Case Management Week?

To me it means that I get to collaborate and help people, which is what I’ve always wanted to be able to do. Being able to collaborate with people in other departments at Magellan allows me to learn new ways to assist our members. I also really enjoy collaborating with other case managers, social workers, nurses, etc. outside of Magellan. The entire process is very rewarding and fulfilling for me.

The theme for National Case Management Week this year has to do with keeping the client in the center of what we do and that’s something that I completely agree with. I see that happening every day here at Magellan and it’s an honor to be a part of it.

The first full week in October, organizations are taking the time to recognize and celebrate their employees in customer service. Customer Service Week is an international celebration that highlights the importance of customer service and those individuals who serve and support customers daily. We’re spotlighting four Magellan Health employees who share why they chose to work in customer service, and some of their most rewarding and challenging aspects of working in this field:

• America Phinsee, care worker
• Kimberly White, outreach and engagement specialist
• Edward Daduya, supervisor, customer care
• Chelsey Aguilar, customer experience associate

Continue reading to learn more from America, Kimberly, Edward, and Chelsey on their experiences working in customer service:

Why did you want to pursue customer service and what is the most rewarding aspect of working in this field?

America: I pursued a career in customer service because I have a genuine desire to help others in a way that directly impacts their personal or professional life in a positive way. The most rewarding aspect of working in this field is going above and beyond for our members and being able to hear the joy in their voice when you deliver good news to them.

Kimberly: Customer service chose me. I have always been in a role of wanting to help people find resolutions, that is the most rewarding outcome. Being that person who gets someone the help they need and hearing the satisfaction on the other end is very rewarding.

Edward: I decided to embark on a career in customer service because of my passion for assisting individuals and resolving their concerns. The most gratifying aspect of this profession is being given the chance to make a positive change in our customers’ lives. It’s truly fulfilling to recognize that I have the capacity to aid customers in addressing their challenges and leave them with a favorable perception of our company.

Chelsey: I personally pursued customer service because I genuinely enjoy problem solving and providing service that can initially resolve issues or concerns for people seeking answers. It is crucial to understand the importance of customer service because delivery of customer service can have a major impact in someone’s life.

What are some challenges you face in this profession and how do you overcome them?

America: My biggest challenge in customer service is not knowing the answer to a question, sometimes agents are caught off guard and simply can’t answer a complex question. However, the best way to overcome this challenge is to put yourself in the member’s shoes. Ask yourself what information you would need if you were the member; then you will be able to anticipate the questions, you will find the answers, and be ready when the questions arise.

Kimberly: As much as I would like to say that every call is a success, it’s not. Sometimes it’s hard to connect with people. Some people just want to vent and are not going to be happy with me, my company, their health plan, or even themselves. In those situations, it’s my responsibility to not take it personally, to listen more than I speak, be empathetic, ask questions, and try to do everything I can to get some sort of resolution on the call. At the very minimum set up a tone so when we do talk to them again, it might be a better experience for them.

Edward: The realm of customer service often presents challenges stemming from diverse factors, including managing clients, addressing intricate problems, and striving to meet elevated service standards. To surmount these obstacles, I place an emphasis on active listening, empathy, and proficient communication. Furthermore, I maintain an ongoing commitment to training and supporting my team, ensuring they possess the requisite skills to adeptly navigate these complexities.

Chelsey: The biggest challenge that I face in this profession would be incoming calls that relate to customer grievances. It’s important to listen to the caller, learn from the mistakes, and if possible, resolve the caller’s concerns. Callers need to be reassured that they are valued, and their time is important. We can build trusting relationships with our callers by initiating a safe space for callers to voice their concern and then proactively taking the steps to get a resolution for the caller.

Is there anything you’d like to highlight about working in customer service?

America: I believe that what we do is very important. We assist our members, and their loved ones to find adequate mental health. Some calls with members are better than others, but we must always show empathy and compassion. It helps to remember that our members are looking to us for assistance and when we deliver the help, our members can get their life back on track.

Kimberly: It’s not always the easiest but there is always satisfaction in helping others. I always try to remember the phrase about how important listening is, “How can we help people if we do not listen to the problem first?”

Edward: Customer service extends beyond addressing customer issues; it involves cultivating enduring relationships. It offers a platform to embody our company’s principles and showcase our unwavering dedication to customer contentment. This dynamic domain presents a diverse array of experiences, where each day brings new challenges and continuous opportunities for learning.

Chelsey: Essentially working in this field can help you become a more mindful person because customer service can help shape individuals to be more aware of their approach and delivery to others’ concerns.

What does Customer Service Week mean to you?

America: Customer Service Week means this is the time in which we recognize, appreciate, and celebrate those on the front line, for without them, there would be no human connection over the phone.

Kimberly: It means a time for me to be happy and reflect on the impact I make within my organization and be recognized for it.

Edward: Customer Service Week holds a special significance for me as it serves as a dedicated occasion to honor and commemorate the steadfast commitment and diligent efforts of our customer care team. It acts as a powerful reminder, emphasizing the importance of the customer experience in our organization and aligning seamlessly with our foundational company values. This week is a time of reflection, celebration, and renewed commitment. It serves as a testament to our dedication to customer satisfaction, embodying our company’s values at every step of the way.

Chelsey: Customer Service Week is a time to appreciate all of those who provide services to others. Whether it’s a phone call to your insurance rep, the grocery store clerk, or the person behind the check-in desk, take the time to thank those who help you!

After experiencing for herself the benefits of Magellan Health’s youth leaders inspiring future empowerment program, also known as MY LIFE®, Emily Ferris, national director of youth empowerment, has been an integral part of the team working to reimagine the program. Ferris’ main responsibility in her role includes supporting recovery and resiliency initiatives. Also, as a certified peer support specialist, Ferris uses her lived experience of mental health recovery to help increase opportunities for young people to develop their resiliency. In the recovery and resiliency department, Ferris is focused on providing community-based engagement opportunities for young adults from a peer support perspective. Continue reading to learn more about Ferris’ work with recovery and resiliency:

What new and innovative projects are you currently working on at Magellan?

I’m really excited about the MY LIFE® initiative which Magellan launched in 2008. We’re currently working on relaunching MY LIFE® in our public sector businesses. We’re doing some exciting work around figuring out what the next iteration of the program will look like and how to keep providing the great educational and community integration opportunities that we’ve always had. We’re looking at the program holistically so we can continue to evolve to meet the needs of those individuals that we serve while moving the program into the future.

Why is Magellan the best place to do this project?

Magellan is really the only place to do this type of project in terms of being a leader. For years, Magellan has supported youth development and collaborated with youth serving systems. Since MY LIFE® began in 2008, Magellan has really focused on this population and the underlying principle that the program should be youth guided. Magellan has been actively investing in youth and young adults, we’re really leaders in that. Young people are at a crucial stage in the development of their future social, civic, economic, and vocational success. We recognize that it’s important for young adults to get excellent clinical services, but they also need opportunities to develop community and leadership skills. A lot of what we do is just giving young adults space to take on leadership and trusting in their abilities and strengths.

As a young person in my early twenties, I was introduced to MY LIFE® and through the program, I got the opportunity to tell my own recovery story, learn leadership skills, and learn how to advocate for myself and others. I can’t imagine any other organization being able to replicate the kind of success and work that Magellan has had with MY LIFE®. We have a whole team across many different lines of business who are really committed to offering youth opportunities to grow.

Could you expand more on your personal experience with MY LIFE® and how that’s helping you to provide input as the program is reimagined?

I’m an individual in recovery from an eating disorder and other various mental health conditions. I was really struggling with my mental health in my adolescence and early twenties and was connected to clinical services, but not successfully. I didn’t have a lot of hope, and it wasn’t that I didn’t believe in recovery, I just didn’t believe in it for myself. I was then connected with a community organization in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and that organization introduced me to peer support. Peer supporters are people who have lived experience of mental health or substance use recovery and they receive training and become certified to offer non-clinical support to other people on their recovery journey. I started to do some advocacy work through that organization which connected me to the MY LIFE® program. At the time, MY LIFE® offered monthly meetings that would offer motivational speakers and other educational opportunities. I got connected to some training programs through MY LIFE® and was eventually certified as a peer specialist.

I really credit the combination of those two programs with providing me with the skills I needed to develop a career. There isn’t anything more personally meaningful for me than having the opportunity to provide that same education and learning to other young people.

I worked for that community-run organization for a while before being hired with the Pennsylvania Health Choices Business, where I facilitated the Bucks County MY LIFE® program for almost five years. That was an opportunity to work directly with youth and to have them provide us with guidance as a serving system, to provide opportunities to them to learn and develop their own programming. They helped us launch a lot of great clinical programs in Bucks County and other educational events for the community.

I’m deeply committed to the program because I have not only benefited from it myself, but I’ve seen the benefits that it offers for other young people. I also never want to downplay MY LIFE’s® collaborations with community-based organizations that provide youth with the connections, knowledge, resources, and appropriate engagement that they need.

What are your thoughts on the culture at Magellan, and how has that culture impacted these projects?

In my experience at Magellan, there is a lot of willingness to collaborate with others doing great work in the communities that we serve. I think that just makes us stronger as an organization. There’s also a culture of growth at Magellan that has benefited me. The opportunities to be really engaged not only in what we’re doing well, but to also be incredibly supportive around making sure that we are continuously evolving to meet the needs of the people that we serve.

In what direction do you see healthcare going in the future?

I think peer support is increasingly being recognized as an essential offering for people, particularly youth and young adults. There’s still a lot of stigmas around mental health and substance use and work to be done about that, but we’re seeing the evidence that peer support is invaluable to people’s recovery. I can speak personally to the power of peer support. I think finding opportunities for people with lived experience to offer leadership is important. We’re starting to see more of that across the board in the healthcare setting.

Tonie Powell doesn’t think of herself as the average operations office manager, but rather thinks of her position as the heartbeat of the company. Powell is based at the headquarters of Magellan’s federal office in Arlington, Virginia, where she manages all office operations. From supporting the leadership team, assisting with facility renovations, sending cards for employees’ birthdays, and supporting employee morale. As the spouse of a disabled retired military veteran, Powell faces a unique set of challenges with balancing her job and being a military spouse. For Military Spouse Appreciation Month, Powell shares her experience and how Magellan’s culture supports working military spouses.

What sort of projects are you currently working on?

A major project right now is assisting with organizing a leadership summit that will take place later this year. I am responsible for leading the extremely detailed location logistics that go into planning and executing events of this scale. We are anticipating more than 100 of the top leaders of Magellan to be in attendance and there are a lot of moving parts to ensure its success. A large part of my job is making sure all the details of projects big and small are planned for so that leadership can stay focused on the task of delivering quality service and growing our business to help the service members, veterans, federal workers, and family members we serve.

How do you balance work and being a military spouse? How is Magellan supportive of your life as a military spouse?

My husband is retired military, so I do not have the same challenges I did as an active-duty spouse with childcare drama, long deployments, and frequent moves. One of the main challenges I faced as a working military spouse was that I could never take a day off for me. I needed to save my sick days for those times when my children would inevitably get sick. My husband’s schedule as an infantry officer was very unpredictable. He did not have the luxury of calling his boss to say he was staying home for a child with a sore throat. Now that my children are grown adults living on their own, the challenge is balancing my work schedule with caring for my husband. I help him manage medical appointments, get him to physical therapy and help him with other things he might require. My husband is alert and capable, but as a caregiver, it can be emotionally draining and physically demanding, and I’m lucky that my supervisors are extremely understanding by allowing me to be off when I need to be. Also, being able to work remotely at Magellan has been one of the positive things to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. While I am frequently onsite now, I still manage to accomplish more than I did in the office full time and without the commuter headaches and expense that it takes to work near our nation’s capital.

What are your thoughts on the culture at Magellan?

Our mission is to empower federal employees and military personnel to live healthier, more productive lives includes those who work here as well. We have excellent resources for the people who support our customers. The flow of information is consistent and inclusive of all employees. I feel respected and that my contribution is valued. It is a great place to work!

On May 17^th, we celebrate National Employee Health and Fitness Day! By sharing tips on how to stay active even during busy workdays, National Employee Health and Fitness Day is a day to raise awareness of the health benefits of physical activity and remind employees about the necessity and advantages of regular physical activity. Physical activity provides a much-needed break from the stress of everyday tasks and duties and gives us energy, boosts mental ability, and prevents fatigue throughout the rest of the day. Magellan Health’s Evergrace Davis, associate information security compliance analysist, is also an AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor. In 2020, Davis launched “KeepItMovin with Grace,” a workout program that provides individuals of all ages and fitness levels with fitness classes and step challenges. Davis began her fitness journey over 12 years ago as a workout class instructor and lives by the motto, “keep it moving” with the goal of living life to the fullest. Continue reading to learn Davis’ tips on how employees can find ways to include physical fitness throughout even the busiest workdays.

How can employees who work from home find ways to prioritize health and fitness throughout their workday?

I know that working from home can be challenging but we must find ways to prioritize fitness by keeping our bodies moving. Fitness is so beneficial to your health and can improve your work mood and overall health.  I suggest trying the STOP method which means “Stop Typing on PC.” Practice this by blocking off time on your calendar for fitness breaks. Scheduling time is making fitness a priority because we sit for hours in one place and many only get up for coffee, lunch, and bathroom breaks. Here are some suggestions below:

• Put on your gym shoes and go for a walk around the block.
• Step away from your computer for five minutes of stretching.
• Getting some direct sunlight improves your health making you feel recharged and refreshed to continue with the workday.

How can employees who work in an office find ways to prioritize health and fitness throughout their workday?

There are ways for employees to prioritize their health and fitness while working in the office throughout the workday both indoors and outdoors. The STOP method still applies while in the office!  Block off time and schedule your fitness breaks. Always be prepared for working out by having a change of clothes, towel, water bottle, and gym shoes in the car. Here are some more suggestions employees can do while working in an office:

• Indoors: Walk up and down the hallways, up and down stairs, go the fitness center if your company provides one and get on the treadmill, stretch, or lift some weights.
• Outdoors: Go outside to stretch or take a walk around the building, or a quick jog.

By doing this, employees can improve their mood and health by making sure they keep moving even during the workday!

What are the benefits of regular physical activity? What are some easy ways for employees to add physical activity into a busy workday?

There are so many benefits to maintaining regular physical activity. By prioritizing physical activity consistently, your body learns to look forward to daily movement and exercise. Another benefit are the results that you will see from consistently staying active. You may find yourself feeling better, less stressed, and possibly experiencing more energy, and better sleep.

For National Nurses Week, we are honoring the contributions and sacrifices made by all nurses in the medical community who are instrumental in enhancing the health of their patients. Nurses are the healthcare professionals who perform some of the most challenging and essential healthcare tasks and serve as the first and last point of contact for most patients as well as being a crucial link between patients and doctors. Nurses have a versatile career with dozens of specialties that require extreme focus and dedication. We’re spotlighting two of Magellan Health’s nurses who each explain why they chose to become nurses, and who describe what are some of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of working in this field:

• Tracy McClain, RN, BSN, Care Coordinator, Employer Center of Excellence
• Jacqueline Rigby Siomos, RN, senior care manager, Cambria County Clinical

Continue reading to learn more from Jacqueline and Tracy on their experience as nurses:

Why did you become a nurse and what are the most rewarding aspects of working in this field?

Jacqueline: I really wanted to help people and becoming a nurse was the best fit for me. I knew nursing had a lot of different opportunities available and I would always be guaranteed to have a fulfilling career. I enjoy that I learn something new each day, whether it’s a new medication, a new treatment modality, or a new data system.

Tracy: I always knew since a very young age that I wanted to work in a career that allows me to help people. Helping and supporting people in their time of need by bringing them care, comfort, and compassion does as much for me as it does the people I help.

What are some challenges you face being a nurse? How do you overcome those challenges?

Jacqueline: One of the biggest challenges is stress and burnout. It is very important to have healthy self-care rituals to be refreshed and rejuvenated for the next workday. You must commit to be a lifelong learner if you want to be a nurse since healthcare is an ever-changing field. 

Tracy: Not being able to help or make a positive difference in someone’s life, but I just always remind myself that I can’t save the whole world, so I stay focused on the people I can impact and never give up on anyone.

Is there anything you’d like to highlight about working in this field and National Nurses Week?

Jacqueline: Nursing is a challenging field, but the rewards of helping others outweigh all the challenges. I have always been blessed to work with a wonderful group of nurses and other professionals who always make the workday go smoothly. The nursing profession offers tremendous amounts of flexibility in scheduling, clinical specialties, and employment locations. Celebrating National Nurses Week is a great way to recognize the hard work and dedication of all my colleagues in the field. We are all in this together.

Tracy: Working in this field and with my team at Magellan has helped me gain knowledge and grow as a person. I have worked here for 25 years and can honestly say I am a more patient, compassionate, and educated nurse. It’s nice to know that nurses are being recognized for what they do and made to feel proud of being a nurse, especially when burn out tends to be high in this field.

Since joining Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania (Magellan) two years ago, Stephanie Cassanese, stays busy in Cambria County supporting many different aspects of Magellan’s business in the Pennsylvania counties served by Magellan. In her role as supervisor of Recovery and Resiliency Services, Cassanese first and foremost leads the recovery and resiliency team and leads MY LIFE for Pennsylvania, where she oversees all aspects of the youth and young adult program for all Magellan counties.

“I do many things and every day here is different which is one of the reasons I love the job. It’s never the same day twice,” said Cassanese. Continue reading to learn more about the many innovative initiatives Cassanese and her team are working on at Magellan:

What project have you recently worked on that is impactful?

My team completed a project at the end of 2022 called the Peer Professional Employment Guide. It’s a workbook that we provide to new certified peer support (CPS) professionals with the goal of providing a source of advice and inspiration. This was a part of our Workforce Development Project that we’re continuing into 2023 post-COVID. There have been staffing shortages in every industry, but particularly in mental health. We’ve struggled to find and retain workers, so this is a part of our hope to retain newly trained peer professionals. There are a lot of individuals that get into peer support and don’t know what they’re getting into. The workbook shares information on everything from getting hired, interviewing, ethics, boundaries, and self-care. We also include testimonials from working peer professionals, so that individuals coming into peer support know what to expect.

Why is Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania the best place to work on creative projects?

Magellan is more than just a managed care organization; we really want to collaborate with the counties that we serve. I think Magellan encourages relationship building and that’s really the core tenet of my job, just building relationships with our county and provider partners and reassuring them that if they have questions or need any peer support related information, they can come to me. That’s something that Magellan really promotes collaboration and the idea of going above and beyond.

What are your thoughts on the culture at Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania? How has that culture impacted your team?

The culture here is really to be collaborators with our counties and providers. I think what differentiates us from other managed care organizations is that we’re not just the people that pay the claims. More than that, we try to be present at different events together with other stakeholders. Leadership is supportive; they want us to be out there in Pennsylvania communities, and leadership is always looking to help make that happen. We always strive to do better than we did the day before, that’s the culture here.

What exciting trends in the healthcare industry have you noticed? In what direction do you see healthcare going in? What lessons are there to learn from other industries that can be applied to healthcare?

The biggest one that comes to mind is the focus that the state and federal government is putting on suicide prevention and education. Since COVID, suicide rates have skyrocketed, and people are feeling more isolated and lonelier than they ever have before. This can also be related to another research push I’ve seen recently, which is on the impact of social media on youth and young adults on FOMO (the fear of missing out), self-esteem, and body image issues. I think that focusing on both, post-COVID, is going to be important.  Self-care has become common, and I think it is important that we encourage people to focus on caring for themselves, both physically and mentally. Magellan has also implemented a suicide risk assessment plan to identify members who may need additional support or treatment.

The healthcare industry also continues to conduct research focusing on things that are significantly impacting mental health, post-COVID. This is also more of a focus because our physical health and our mental health are one. When you’re struggling with your mental health, then your physical health will suffer and vice versa. I hope we continue with that direction because they are not two separate things. We’re one body, soul, spirit, and mind and it’s all connected.