While up to 80% of all primary care visits include a behavioral health component, primary care providers (PCPs) may feel overwhelmed and ill-equipped to meet their patients’ behavioral health needs. Collaborative care can help.

What is collaborative care?

Collaborative care is a specific type of integrated care that uses a team-based, patient-centered approach to address behavioral health in the primary care setting. Collaborative care links a patient’s PCP with a behavioral health care manager and psychiatric consultant to help meet their mental health goals. This approach has been studied in over 90 different randomized control trials and has shown to be highly effective in delivering a better patient experience, as well as improving patient outcomes and providing cost reduction.

Collaborative care gives PCPs the tools and support they need to manage ongoing mental healthcare and helps improve the quality of care provided.

• A patient registry allows PCPs to track patients and ensure that no one falls through the cracks. Patients who do not show improvement are outreached, and behavioral health specialists offer caseload-focused consultation.
• Screening tools, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 for depression and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7 for anxiety, help identify and direct patients to the appropriate levels of care for mental health conditions.
• A behavioral health care manager supports the PCP in myriad ways, including:
  • Ensuring effective communication among the team
  • Coordinating the team and mental health treatment
  • Providing progress updates and treatment recommendations to the provider
  • Alerting the PCP when the patient is not improving
  • Supporting medication management
  • Facilitating communication with the psychiatric consultant regarding treatment changes
  • Conducting brief interventions, such as motivational interviews with patients to guide their progress
• A psychiatric consultant reviews cases alongside behavioral health care managers and assists the care team with treatment planning, and diagnostic and treatment recommendations.

Collaborative care allows patients to get mental healthcare where they regularly seek physical healthcare, rather than having to go elsewhere.

 Throughout the U.S., individuals lack access to mental healthcare. In fact, over 26 million individuals experiencing a mental health condition are going untreated. Providing mental healthcare in the primary care setting allows patients to:

• Address mental health concerns with a provider they trust and see regularly for physical health concerns
• Receive mental health treatment at an earlier stage to help prevent more serious problems
• Have regular contact with a behavioral health care manager who can deliver brief interventions and individualized care planning
• Receive coordinated care for co-occurring mental and physical conditions
• Reduce the burden they carry in communicating treatment updates to multiple providers when they have comorbid physical and mental health concerns
• Feel comfortable that all of their health needs are being addressed
• Receive mental health treatment that is often less expensive

Magellan Healthcare’s collaborative care solution, powered by NeuroFlow

 Collaborative care has been proven to double the effectiveness of depression care, as well as improve physical function and reduce healthcare costs. Magellan Healthcare’s evidence-based Collaborative Care Management solution for health plans and healthcare delivery systems provides care management and psychiatric consults for primary care patients and augments physical health providers’ staff with Magellan staff to facilitate integrated physical and behavioral healthcare. Learn more here.

Sources:

• 2020 Adult Data | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)
• Benefits of Behavioral Health Integration for Primary Care Providers | Bipartisan Policy Center
• Collaborative Care | University of Washington AIMS Center (uw.edu)

Haita Makanji, vice president, clinical strategy and innovation supporting the specialty division of Magellan Rx Management, has worked for MRx for nearly 10 years, where she has focused on helping to support payers as they navigate the pharmacy space. Makanji, who is based out of Massachusetts, leads a team of highly trained pharmacists and experts in development and implementation of clinical solutions for customers in various high-cost specialty conditions across both the medical and pharmacy benefits including but not limited to cancer, hemophilia, and rare diseases. Her team focuses on utilization management, dose optimization, care management and technology-based programs for commercial, Medicare and Medicaid patients across the country. Continue reading to learn more about the innovative projects Makanji and her team are working on in the pharmacy space:

What sort of projects are you currently working on?

I’m passionate about working closely with payers and supporting them as they navigate the evolving landscape of new, expensive treatments, while also helping to deliver the highest quality of care to patients. For exceedingly high-cost specialty conditions, our emphasis is always on value through delivering clinical solutions that offer the most appropriate treatment to patients while combating the rising spend payers are facing.

For example, a recent project centers on a one-of-a-kind solution for payers focused on precision medicine in the oncology space, which is the highest-spend category for specialty drugs on the medical benefit for over 10 years. This is an exciting, next-generation pharmacy initiative where we will be combining genomic testing with drug selection for providers who treat cancer patients and meeting a critical need for payers who are looking for more complete solutions on both the medical and pharmacy benefit.

In 2021, we launched a comprehensive high-cost therapy program to provide enhanced utilization management strategies and case management referral for ultra-rare diseases. Payers often struggle to identify specialized experts, either internally or within their network, so our ability to leverage our MRx Expert Clinical Network of more than 175 key opinion leaders who practice various specialties, combined with our team of experts, offers a unique opportunity to support treatment decisions that leads to better health outcomes.

Why is Magellan the best place for these projects?

I’m proud to work for an organization that has a deep understanding of medical and pharmacy trends and a history of pioneering industry-first solutions for specialty drug management. With 17 years of experience in managing specialty conditions, we are unique in the marketplace.  Our customers routinely expand their collaborations with us because we continuously elevate our suite of solutions with innovative and forward-thinking approaches. Our mission is to help patients live healthy, vibrant lives and we accomplish this by ensuring that the right patients receive the right therapies at the right time.

What are your thoughts on the culture here at Magellan? How has that culture impacted your work?

We have a family-oriented culture where we collaborate and have a true understanding and trust of each other. Magellan fosters an environment that encourages open, honest feedback in all teams. Magellan also provides employees with the opportunity to challenge themselves and embrace new opportunities. This is imperative as we innovate and bring new programs to the market.

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

I’m energized by how quickly our industry is adapting to new technologies and advancements in the delivery of healthcare. Particularly in digital health solutions with the shift towards value-based care strategies and the pivot to personalized medicine.

The market will need to be laser-focused on providing clinically appropriate, personalized care at the lowest cost for both payers and patients.

One lesson we can take from other industries is the ability to be nimble and flexible. Disruptors in every sector of healthcare are bringing new offerings directly to consumers in the hopes that simplicity and transparency will cultivate consumer loyalty. We can take advantage of the availability of data and deployment of new technologies to respond quickly to changing market dynamics and the needs of our customers and their unique patient populations. While we have a proven track record and hundreds of successful case studies across our suite of solutions, it’s important that we never stop innovating!

Men, women, and children. Black and white. Rich and poor. Depression affects Americans from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that one in thirteen of us is living with depression.[1]

• In 2019, nearly 13 million U.S. adults and 2.7 million U.S. adolescents had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year[2], including:
  • Almost 10% of females and 6.0% of males[3]
  • Approximately 15% ages 18-25, 9% ages 26-49, 5% ages 50+[4]
  • About 7% Hispanic or Latino, 9% White, 6% Black or African American, 5% Asian, 4%[5] Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, 9% American Indian/Alaskan Native[6]
• About 31% of Americans in poverty and almost 16% of those not in poverty report having been diagnosed with depression [7]

Recognizing signs of depression

Depression is often referred to as a silent illness. Many people who suffer from depression secretly struggle and never seek help. Signs and symptoms of depression include:

• Low mood or increased irritability
• Feeling empty or numb
• Loss of energy or motivation
• Loss of interest in regular or recreational activities
• Feelings of guilt, restlessness, hopelessness, worthlessness or fear
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Changes in appetite or eating behavior
• Poor concentration
• Suicidal thoughts

If you or someone you love is experiencing any of the common risk factors and warning signs associated with depression, online or in-person depression screening is the first step toward improved mental health and wellbeing.

Benefits of depression screening

Screening is a valuable tool in the identification and treatment of depression. One of the most common screening tests for depression is the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). Early identification and treatment of depression can:

• Slow its progress
• Improve your physical health
• Prevent years of suffering
• Decrease the risk of death by suicide
• Place you on the path to a happier, healthier life

Visit here to complete the PHQ-8. Once you complete the assessment, be sure to review your results and any recommendations with your doctor.

Who should take a depression screening test?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for depression in the general adult population, including pregnant and postpartum women. Although anyone can develop depression, regardless of their age, ethnicity, or background, depression is more common among people who:

• Have a family history of mental illness
• Have another mental health condition, like anxiety
• Struggle with a substance use disorder, like drug addiction or alcoholism
• Recently experienced a stressful life change or traumatic event

However, anyone who has any signs of depression should take a depression screening test.

Screening and treatment

While screenings are not a professional diagnosis, they do point out the presence or absence of depressive symptoms and can indicate if a referral for further evaluation is needed. You should see your doctor or a qualified mental health professional if you experience five or more depression symptoms for longer than two weeks or if the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily routine.

Proper treatment of depression has been proven to effectively reduce depressive symptoms, decrease the risk of relapse and recurrence, and decrease emergency department visits and hospitalization rates.

Learn More

Visit Magellan’s Behavioral Health Resources page to learn more about depression and other mental health conditions.

If you’re in crisis or have suicidal thoughts, seek help immediately. Please call 1-800-273-8255 (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) or call 911 and ask for help, or go to your nearest emergency room.

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/depression-anxiety.html

[2] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression

[3] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression

[4] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression

[5] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression

[6] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression

[7] https://news.gallup.com/poll/158417/poverty-comes-depression-illness.aspx

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound affect on everyone, particularly children with emotional health concerns. Many support structures in place prior to the pandemic to help children thrive have disappeared or been changed significantly, resulting in increased pressure on caretakers and overwhelming stress for children. New and innovative solutions are needed to meet these challenges. Magellan Healthcare’s Emotional Health for Kids by Mightier is a clinically proven video game solution that helps children build emotion regulation skills through play and caregivers build emotionally healthy homes.

Developed at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Mightier helps children ages 6 to 14 who are struggling with emotional health concerns, such as irritability, aggression, and anger, as well as children diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and general anxiety disorder.

Mightier’s impact on children’s emotional health

In a pilot program, Magellan provided members access to the Mightier program for a period of twelve weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Families were recruited and randomized into a group that received Mightier in addition to applied behavior analysis (ABA), or a group that received only ABA as a control.

• Children engaged with Mightier at a high rate. On average, Mightier families played for 30.4 minutes above the 30 minutes per week recommended to see clinical change.
• Clinical symptoms improved. Eighty percent of children with ASD who used Mightier showed an improvement on primary symptoms, compared to only 50% in the control group.
• Children showed twice as much decrease in aggressive behaviors. Adding Mightier to ABA resulted in a reduction in aggressive behavior in children with autism by twice as much compared to ABA alone.
• Families reported a less stressful and more supportive environment. Families using Mightier showed 50% improvement in family stress, 114% improvement in parent confidence, and 114% improvement in access to resources relative to control.

Visit  Magellanhealthcare.com/kids-emotions-mightier/ to learn more about the pilot and how Mightier helps children build self-regulation skills and supports caregivers in building emotionally healthy homes.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic entered our world, the prevalence of mental illness and suicidal ideation in the US was increasing. In 2019, 61.2 million American adults (24%) had a mental illness and/or substance use disorder, an increase of 5.9% over 2018.[1] Depression – a sad mood that lasts for a long time and interferes with normal, everyday functioning – for those under age 50 increased steadily from 2016 to 2019:[1]

• 6% increase among those aged 12-17
• 1% increase among those aged 18-25
• 6% increase among those aged 26-49

From 2009 to 2019, suicidal thoughts, plans and attempts increased among:[1]

• Young adults aged 18-25, 95%, 98.8% and 62.4%, respectively
• Adults aged 26-49, 23.3%, 50% and 24.5%, respectively

Increased stressors brought about by the pandemic – grief and loss, social isolation, financial instability, fear, etc. – have exacerbated the state of mental health in the US. More people from January – September 2020, compared to all of 2019, sought help for anxiety (93% increase) and depression (62% increase).[2] Since COVID-19 began, suicidal ideation in the US has more than doubled, with younger adults, racial/ethnic minorities, essential workers, and unpaid adult caregivers experiencing disproportionately worse effects.[3]

Recognizing the symptoms of depression

Depression can have different symptoms depending on the person, but in most people, a depressive disorder changes how they function day-to-day, and usually for more than two weeks.

Learn the FACTS:

• Feelings: Being extremely sad and hopeless, losing interest or enjoyment from most daily activities
• Actions: Exhibiting restlessness or feeling that moving takes great effort, having difficulty focusing, concentrating on things, or making decisions
• Changes: Gaining or losing weight due to changes in appetite, changing sleep patterns, experiencing body aches, pain, or stomach problems
• Threats: Talking about death or suicide, attempting suicide or self-harm
• Situations: Experiencing traumatic events or major life changes, having a medical problem or family history of depression

A serious symptom of depression is thinking about death or suicide. If you are in crisis or considering suicide, or if someone you know is currently in danger, please dial 911 immediately.

We encourage you to watch a recording of our webinar, “Depression is more than just a rough patch,” and find additional resources addressing depression at MagellanHealthcare.com/Mental-Health.

Jamie Hanna, MD, serves as the medical director for the Magellan of Louisiana Coordinated System of Care (CSoC) program. She is board certified in Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Prior to joining Magellan in 2020, Dr. Hanna served as an assistant professor and assistant training director with Louisiana State University School of Medicine, working with the acute behavioral health unit, and leading the psychiatric consultation-liaison service and emergency psychiatric services at Children’s Hospital of New Orleans. Dr. Hanna completed medical school at the University of Alabama School of Medicine and a subsequent internship in Pediatrics, residency in General Psychiatry, fellowship in Child and Adolescent psychiatry, and fellowship in Infant Mental Health with Louisiana State University in New Orleans.

[1] https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt29392/Assistant-Secretary-nsduh2019_presentation/Assistant-Secretary-nsduh2019_presentation.pdf

[2] https://mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america

[3] https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932a1.htm

By Caroline Bohn, R.N., Senior Care Manager, Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania

Millions of Americans suffer with chronic pain issues, every day of their lives. Conditions such as migraines, back injuries, fibromyalgia, or neuropathy, for example, can cause serious, ongoing pain. Ongoing chronic pain can be a debilitating problem for those suffering with it. Dealing with a chronic pain issue can lead to additional problems, such as a loss of pleasure in life, inability to work, poor sleep or depression. People often seek treatment for chronic pain, to be able to live a better life.

We live in a fast-paced world where we can access just about anything, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We can shop and order things on the internet at any time of the day or night, or even go to stores that are open 24/7. No longer must we wait for someone to get home and check an answering machine to receive our messages because we can reach out to others in an instant via cell phones, email, texting, and instant messaging. Going to the movie theatre or buying a DVD in the store are almost obsolete. The limitless availability of television and internet streaming services allow us to watch our favorite shows and movies at any time. The ability to get so many needs met instantly, leads us to expect this type of immediate fix for everything in our lives, including medical issues.

It is understandable that people desire immediate relief from pain, and there are many ways in which pain can be treated successfully and alleviated. One option, which people often choose, is the use of prescription pain medication. But the natural desire to relieve pain immediately can cause people to opt for taking pain medication before trying less invasive alternatives. There are many options for treating chronic pain without prescription medication. For example, interventions such as physical or occupational therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), acupuncture, biofeedback, or cold laser therapy. Wearing supportive braces or orthotics can be helpful with eliminating pressure on inflamed areas. Yoga, weight loss, and therapeutic massage can aide in reducing muscle and joint pain. Mind-body techniques are also effective methods to address pain, such as meditation, mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing exercises. To clarify, the use of prescription pain medication is not an inappropriate choice, but it is wise to explore other options as well. Pain itself, is not a disease. Pain is a symptom or signal used to alert us that something is going wrong within the body. Use of medications to eliminate the pain signal, is not helping fix the problem that is causing the pain. The first step to solving a pain issue is to identify and address what is causing the pain so you do not have to experience pain in the first place. There are situations where it is not possible to eliminate the source of the pain completely, but in cases like these, there could be treatments available to lessen the severity of the pain, so it is manageable with less medication or without the use of medication at all.

Regular use of prescription medication to alleviate pain could cause other issues to arise, even when a medication is appropriately prescribed by a physician and taken according to the physician’s orders. Unfortunately, it is possible for your body to become dependent on certain types of prescription pain medication. Dependence on pain medication is evident when an individual experiences symptoms of withdrawal when taking less of the medication or stopping it altogether. If a person feels they must continue taking pain medication to avoid experiencing withdrawal when not taking it, this could indicate that their body has become dependent on it. If this occurs, a consultation with your physician to discuss next steps is essential.

There are different classes, or types, of pain medications which can be prescribed by your physician. One of these types, called opioids, has a greater risk for dependence than other types of prescription pain medication. If your body becomes dependent on opioid pain medication, it can be difficult to stop taking it. Opioid pain medications have a higher risk for causing withdrawal symptoms when discontinued than other types of pain medication. People could experience nausea, vomiting, sweating, feeling excessively hot or cold, or muscle aches throughout their body, when taking less of or stopping the opioid pain medication. If this were to happen, alerting your physician is crucial. Your physician can assist you with safely discontinuing an opioid pain medication, so you do not have any withdrawal symptoms. If you do not feel comfortable telling your physician you may be dependent on opioid pain medication, there are other ways to seek help. If you have access to the internet, you can visit the SAMHSA website (https://www.samhsa.gov/find-treatment) to get education and information about seeking help with opioid pain medication dependence. If you do not have access to the internet, SAMHSA offer a toll-free helpline as well (SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

There is nothing wrong with seeking help when your health is at stake. Reaching out to a trusted family member or friend, to ask for their help, is also a great way to start on the road to your recovery. Above all, it is important to remember that maintaining your physical health and well-being, is crucial to living your best life.

For July Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Awareness Month, we are pleased to share our e-interview with Dr. Tonicia Freeman-Foster, Ed.D, CDP, CHES®, PMP, co-founder and principal consultant at Kusudi Consulting Group, and change specialist at Change Matrix, on mental health for Black people and African Americans

Magellan: What are some sources of stigma related to mental health treatment in Black communities?

Dr. Freeman-Foster: One source of stigma stems from slavery where Blacks and African Americans were deemed to be strong so that they could do the work. There were adverse consequences, including death, for those who were deemed to be weak. Because of this, in so many ways we have internalized strength to mean that you have to be able to do the work. You must be able to always put on a smile, even when you are sad or not feeling well. We have internalized this to the point of when we are not feeling well, we feel the judgment of it as a weakness or being lazy. This is why the message “it’s okay not to be okay” is critical, and it’s critical that we as Blacks and African Americans say it, practice it, and live it. Mental health is health too.

Another huge factor is the intersection between mental wellness and faith. There is some belief that if you are feeling sad, then you probably did not pray enough, or you do not believe in God enough, or that you do not have enough faith. The belief that overall, you are weak spiritually. No one wants to be seen as weak, and so as a result we do not seek help. It’s important that we understand that we can do both simultaneously. We can seek earthly help for our mental wellness AND we can pray too.

Magellan: Tell us about your presentation Equity as an Expectation on August 30th at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Dr. Freeman-Foster: With Equity as an Expectation (information and free registration under Upcoming Events here), we will explore strategies to create an environment where people, no matter their demographics or life experiences, can expect that they will receive culturally responsive services in an equitable manner and have equitable outcomes.

The reason that equity is missing in a lot of our programs and services is because it has been allowed to be optional. I compare it to a grocery store. You have young adult services on aisle five, HIV services on aisle six, mental health services on aisle seven, substance use services on aisle eight, physical health on aisle nine, and then equity on aisle three. If we truly want to make a positive impact in all our interactions, then equity must be the shopping cart. It must be the first thing that you come in the door with, and the thing that everything builds on top of. It is about interweaving equity practices into everything that we do, versus having equity as an optional standalone practice. There must also be accountability measures in place for all team members, and a consistent process for reviewing progress, outcomes measures, and follow-up actions.

Dr. Tonicia Freeman-Foster has over 20 years of experience in cultivating hope, resiliency, and wellness through her work with underserved persons and marginalized communities. She is passionate about her work in assisting organizations and leaders in understanding how their beliefs and actions impact diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice for staff, clients, and communities. Dr. Freeman-Foster possesses extensive experience in matters related to mental health, substance use, child welfare, HIV/AIDS, and LGBTQ+, youth and young adult, women, Black, Indigenous, and People of color (BIPOC) populations. 

Dr. Freeman-Foster is the co-founder and principal consultant at Kusudi Consulting Group, and she also currently serves as a change specialist at Change Matrix. In these roles, she provides training, technical assistance, and coaching to individuals, communities, and organizations throughout the nation. In her previous role, Dr. Freeman-Foster served as project director of the Florida Healthy Transitions program and led the development of an innovative peer-to-peer behavioral health model for youth and young adults. Dr. Freeman-Foster possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science Education (Community Health) from the University of Florida, a Master’s degree in Human Services (Organizational Management and Leadership) from Springfield College, and a Doctorate degree in Education (Organizational Leadership) from Argosy University. Dr. Freeman-Foster is a Certified Diversity Professional, Certified Health Education Specialist, Certified Courageous Conversations About Race™ Practitioner, and Certified Project Management Professional.

This is an excerpt from the Magellan Healthcare eMpowered for Wellness July 2021 newsletter. To read the full article, go here. For more information and resources to support BIPOC mental health, and to register for Dr. Freeman-Foster’s continuing education credits-eligible webinar, visit MagellanHealthcare.com/BIPOC-MH

Over the past year COVID-19, community protests and increased social awareness have highlighted the impact of racism on the mental health of Black, Indigenous People, and People of Color (BIPOC). On April 8, 2021 Rochelle Wolensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that racism, “directly affects the well-being of millions of Americans. As a result, it affects the health of our entire nation.”

Magellan Healthcare is committed to increasing awareness about BIPOC mental health, wellness, and the importance of recognizing and addressing concerns. Learn more about racism and mental health.

Racism is a mental health issue because racism causes trauma. Racial trauma is the ongoing result of racism, racist bias, and exposure to racist abuse in the media and everyday life. Racial trauma can affect many aspects of a person’s life, including their ability to have relationships, focus on school or work, and feel safe. People who experience racial discrimination and injustice can develop trauma that causes anxiety, chronic stress, depression, and other mental illnesses.

How racism affects mental health

For those who are affected by racism, it is important to remember that you are not alone. The push for social change is strong and there are many things you can do to protect your mental health during this time.

4 things you can do for your mental health

The following strategies can help you gain a sense of strength, build resilience and stay healthy.

Share your feelings—It is normal to be angry, to feel hopeless, to cover up your experience of racism, or to pretend that it has not affected you. Talking about your feelings is not a sign of weakness, but part of taking charge of your well-being and doing what you do to stay healthy. The simple act of talking to someone who makes you feel heard and understood can trigger hormones that calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and relieve the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Embrace your ethnicity and culture—Racism is often used as a weapon to belittle you as a human being and lower your self-esteem. You can counteract this and help deflect the pain of racism by developing a strong sense of your ethnic identity and strengthening your attachment to the community. Closer ties with people who share your experiences can help reduce the sense of isolation that often stems from racism.

Channeling your anger—No matter how justified your anger is, venting it uncontrollably will affect your judgment, reduce your chances of being heard, and negatively affect your health. Use your anger and channel it in a constructive way to bring about meaningful change. Join a community or activist group, engage in creative activity, or create a journal.

Take care of yourself—Because your body and mind are so closely linked, it is important to take care of yourself in times of overwhelming stress. You can improve your mood and your health by moving your body every day, learning ways to reduce stress such as deep breathing, making nutritious food choices, focusing on getting enough sleep, and finding a safe place to rest and recharge.

There are no easy answers to dealing with the pain of racial trauma. To move forward we need to take care of ourselves and our communities. We invite you to visit MagellanHealthcare.com/BIPOC-MH to learn more about Magellan events and other resources that are available to the public for BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month and to like and share our contributions on social media.

Sources: Mental Health America, HelpGuide.org, Medical News Today, Mentalhealth.org.uk

Read more about mental health topics.