Women's Guide to Mental Health
One in five women experienced a mental health condition last year.¹ You don’t have to go it alone. Discover strategies and support options designed to help you improve your overall well-being.
One in five women experienced a mental health condition last year.¹ You don’t have to go it alone. Discover strategies and support options designed to help you improve your overall well-being.
When your loved ones need you, you’re there. You drop everything and show up — physically and mentally — to offer support, any way you can. Now it’s time to do that for yourself.
Your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan plan gives you convenient options, like a hotline you can call 24/7, online therapy sessions, no-cost webinars and more. It’s never been easier to make yourself a priority. You’d want it for them, so do it for you, too.
If you're looking for an easy way to connect with a mental health professional, make an appointment with your PCP for a list of references. They may have other behavioral or mental health options for you to try as well.
Don’t have a PCP? You can log in to your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan member account to find one.
Women with anxiety tend to have persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening.4
A sense of apprehension or dread
Feeling restless, nervous or irritable
Having a racing or pounding heart
Feeling you can't catch your breath
Having an upset stomach or 'knots'
Women with depression have a series of symptoms — including hopelessness — that lasts longer than two weeks.5
Feeling hopeless or guilty
Loss of interest in activities
Having trouble concentrating
Having physical aches and pains
Changes in sleep or appetite
If you’re experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, please seek support. You have flexible options with your Blue Cross plan that can help fit ‘you’ back in your schedule.
You can also use these at-home strategies to manage everyday stress:
Reduce commitments
If you feel overwhelmed or stretched too thin, consider limiting your commitments. Saying ‘No’ is hard and takes practice. But oftentimes, saying ‘No’ to others means saying ‘Yes’ to yourself.
Set personal goals
Depression can make you feel fatigued and throw off your regular routine. Setting a few goals to accomplish during the day and including time to be physically active can help improve your mood and energy levels.
Nourish your body
Your physical self is connected to your emotional self. Eating nutrient-rich foods—and avoiding stimulants like caffeine, and depressants like alcohol—can help you find balance overall.
Did you know
New studies show that alcohol consumption among women has increased 41% since the pandemic began.6 Alcohol can lower your immune system and make existing anxiety or depression worse.
PODCAST
Learn how the pandemic is impacting the emotional well-being of women and healthy ways to handle the stress.
It wasn’t until a family member opened up to me about the feelings he was having that made me realize that I wasn’t alone. Getting treatment allowed me to open up and share the grief I was feeling. I truly believe that once you talk about it, you can begin to move forward.
Blue Cross member, Natalie H.
Care option: In-person support
Social isolation can pose a threat to both physical and mental health for anyone, but especially for seniors. Limited human contact is even linked to many chronic conditions including depression, heart disease and high blood pressure.7 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan believes in the healing power of human connection, even when it may feel tough to do so. Here are a few suggestions for helping to cope with isolation or loneliness.
Members
Every woman’s mental health journey is different. But we can learn from each other’s experiences. Hear how women like you are taking action to make their whole health a priority. WATCH VIDEO SERIES
See how we're partnering with organizations to increase support and recovery.
See partnerships
The COVID-19 pandemic has left many of us feeling emotionally fatigued.
Get expert tips
Try these approaches if you're inspired but don't know where to start.
Start journaling
You’ve got the most important job in the world. Let us help you through it.
See parent's guide
Mind, body, and spirit. Staying fit and active also means taking care of your mental health.
See seniors guide
Good health unites all of us. Get tips for a strong mind-body connection.
See all member's guideSilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and National Domestic Violence Hotline are independent companies, not affiliated with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
The information contained on this webpage is for educational purposes only. Nothing on this webpage is intended to be, nor should be used as or relied upon as, professional medical advice. Nothing contained on this webpage is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. For medical advice, or to receive medical diagnosis or treatment, consult with your health care provider.