{"id":143148,"date":"2025-06-14T21:36:11","date_gmt":"2025-06-15T01:36:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=143148"},"modified":"2025-06-14T21:36:11","modified_gmt":"2025-06-15T01:36:11","slug":"when-should-you-seek-mental-health-behavioral-health-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=143148","title":{"rendered":"When should you seek mental health\/behavioral health services"},"content":{"rendered":"

When and where to find behavioral health services<\/strong><\/p>\n

We all know what to do when faced with a fever or physical injury. But when it comes to managing mental health challenges, the next steps can be less clear.<\/p>\n

When does excessive sadness or anxiety turn into a medical issue that needs to be addressed? When does difficulty concentrating or making decisions become a cause for concern?<\/p>\n

And, with more than\u00a0four out of 10 Americans<\/a>\u00a0living in areas with a shortage of behavioral health providers, where can you turn for support?<\/p>\n

Kathy Wolfe, Senior Director of Care Management at Capital Blue Cross, and her team of care managers have been asked many of these questions.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes it takes a while before they realize they need support for behavioral health,\u201d Wolfe said. \u201c(A member) may say \u2018I have anxiety but what can I do about it?\u2019 At Capital Blue Cross, we are working to make sure our members know where to go to get affordable behavioral health care.\u201d<\/p>\n

When should you seek mental health services?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Everyone experiences stress from time to time. If you experience a few weeks of sadness and trouble sleeping but are still able to care for yourself and others, you may feel better by simply engaging in exercise and social contact.<\/p>\n

According to the\u00a0National Institute of Mental Health<\/a>, if you have symptoms that last longer than two weeks, you may want to consider seeking behavioral health services.<\/p>\n

Elisa Coren, a Behavioral Health Case Manager at Capital Blue Cross, said members also seek behavioral health treatment while dealing with a newly diagnosed or chronic (long-term) physical injury or illness.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith chronic pain, sometimes comes anxiety and depression. \u2026 it\u2019s a life change,\u201d Coren said.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why, if you\u2019re experiencing symptoms such as sadness or poor sleep, a good place to start the discussion is with your primary care provider, says Dr. Jeremy Wigginton, Chief Medical Officer at Capital Blue Cross.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is well-known that those with severe illness often have behavioral health needs,\u201d Dr. Wigginton explained. \u201cWhole-person care is the cornerstone of overall well-being. Just as we seek care for physical ailments, it’s crucial to address mental health struggles with the same urgency and compassion.\u201d<\/p>\n

How to find behavioral health services<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mental wellness and good behavioral health involve developing healthy behaviors to promote overall wellness. It includes understanding how habits, actions, and choices impact mental and physical health, and encompasses the prevention and treatment of mental health conditions, substance abuse, and other behavioral issues.<\/p>\n

For instance, behavioral health providers can help more effectively\u00a0address anxiety<\/a>\u00a0or quit drinking by helping you recognize stressors and find healthier ways to manage them.<\/p>\n

Capital Blue Cross members have several ways to tap into behavioral resources:<\/p>\n