A message from Dr. Amy McKenzie, associate chief medical officer
We still have work to do in eliminating mental health stigma

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has put increased focus on combating mental health stigma — one of the barriers to patients receiving mental health support — over the past year through our behavioral health campaign.

Are these efforts having an impact?

Recent research results show they may be having a positive effect on our members’ attitudes toward mental health.

Our most recent Behavioral Health Healthy Days Survey results, released in November 2021, showed that while a significant number of our members indicate that stigma is a challenge to receiving care, the percentage of those who feel that way has dropped from 42% in April 2021 to 36% in October.

Cost continues to be the greatest perceived barrier for survey respondents (65%), followed by access (42%), quality (38%) and stigma (36%).

This report complements the results of another Blue Cross survey conducted earlier last year — the Behavioral Health Michigan Market Survey. Key results of the survey included the following:

• 4 in 10 Michigan residents (or their child) were experiencing a mental health condition.
• 39% of Blue Cross members were experiencing a mental health condition compared to 43% of Michiganders overall.
• The average age of people experiencing mental health conditions is 37, with the majority being female.
• Of those experiencing a mental health condition, anxiety and depression are the two most common conditions.
• For children, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and anxiety are the most common.

What can we do to help eliminate the stigma?

Encouraging conversations about mental health, emotional health and well-being — among friends, family and health care providers — can go a long way to eliminating the stigma that continues to surround mental health issues and treatment. Here are three other tips:

• Avoid using words or phrases that could be construed as being disparaging to those who have a mental health condition. For example, at Blue Cross, we use the phrase “substance use disorder” rather than “substance abuse.”
• We encourage health care providers to make regular mental health checkups a routine part of care.
• For more information about behavioral and mental health, suggest that your patients visit Blue Cross’ behavioral and mental health website at bcbsm.com/mentalhealth. It provides a wealth of information about mental health conditions and stigma, how our members can get the support they need, and links to our blogs.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.