You may have heard of, or have personally experienced, what has been called the “behavioral health crisis” in Massachusetts and across the country. Among them, it greatly increased feelings of sadness, isolation, emotional stress, drug and alcohol use, burnout, and financial insecurity. Getting behavioral health services when needed has always been difficult, but the pandemic has made it even more difficult.
The term “behavioral health” refers to mental health and substance use. These often occur together, such as when mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety lead to problem alcohol or drug use. increase.
We have made some progress in making behavioral health care more accessible in Massachusetts.
This is not a new problem. A survey conducted in early 2018 by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation found that nearly a quarter (23%) of Massachusetts adults between the ages of 19 and 64 have had a sexual assault on themselves or a family member in the past 12 months. reported seeking behavioral medicine for People of color and low-income people needed more care. More than half of those seeking care reported difficulty obtaining care.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on mental health. Consider the following stats from a survey of Massachusetts residents in late 2020 and early 2021.
- Twenty-eight percent said they consumed alcohol or cannabis more frequently after the pandemic began.
- 17% reported that their substance use consumption caused serious problems at home, work, or school.
- 64% who reported a behavioral health need said it was due to the pandemic.
Even before the pandemic put more pressure on the system, finding behavioral health care was often difficult. The survey also found that more than one-third of the adults who sought care were told by their healthcare provider that they would not accept that person’s type of insurance. Some providers have no insurance at all and see only out-of-pocket patients. Finding affordable treatment can be a barrier for many.
Even if cost and insurance aren’t barriers, you’re faced with finding the right provider in the right place at the right time. People experiencing certain mental health conditions, or both mental health and substance use conditions, will need a provider who specializes in the type of treatment they need.To go see a therapist in person , need to arrange to go to the time and reservation. This can be difficult for those with a job or a family with small children. Where you live in the state, what language you speak, and your age are all factors that make it difficult to find a provider that meets your needs. It may become.
Faced with each of these challenges, finding help can be overwhelming. While the pandemic has had a devastating impact on our emotional and physical health, it has led to her one significant breakthrough in addressing many barriers. It is the growing use of telemedicine to meet medical or behavioral health providers via phone or video platforms. Telemedicine could make mental health and substance use care more accessible and stay in place for patients who prefer virtual visits.
When looking for behavioral health services, it’s a good idea to start with your primary care physician who knows you and your medical history and may be able to make direct referrals. If you know the type of healthcare provider you are looking for and have private or public health insurance (MassHealth), use their website or accept patients under that particular insurance first. You can also inquire about a list of healthcare providers.
A new resource available 24/7 is the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline at 833-773-2445. Massachusetts residents can find local resources by phone or text message. Regardless of what insurance you have, or even if you have no insurance at all, there are community behavioral health centers available statewide to look at you and assess your needs. For urgent issues such as emotional crisis or suicidal thoughts, anyone can dial 988 to quickly reach a call center with specially trained staff. This suicide and crisis lifeline was installed across the country and in Massachusetts last summer.
Those interested in learning more about our state’s behavioral health services and systems can visit the Network of Care Massachusetts. Network of Care Massachusetts is a convenient, organized online directory of programs and organizations statewide. It is important for everyone in crisis to know that they are not alone and that help is available.
Audrey Shelt is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundationa private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure equitable access to health care for all people in the Commonwealth who are economically, racially, culturally, or socially marginalized.
