Mental health and substance abuse disorders

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas partners with New Directions to provide behavioral health screenings, resources and support to our members and employees. Nobody plans to become addicted to drugs or alcohol, yet it happens often. Plenty of people can enjoy the occasional alcoholic drink or take prescribed pain medications and still lead a healthy life. But addiction develops slowly over time, which is … Continue reading Mental health and substance abuse disorders

{Guest blog} Maintaining your mental health

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas partners with New Directions to provide behavioral health screenings, resources and support to our members and employees. Eating healthy foods and exercising can make you feel good and live longer. Another key part to this is your mental health. Good mental health is just as important as good physical health. But we all face changes in life that … Continue reading {Guest blog} Maintaining your mental health

HealthyOptions program nurse helps pull member from deep depression

Linda Campbell was struggling with heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and deep depression; she was also the main caregiver for two grandchildren and her terminal husband. She was at the end of her rope and ready to give up when she received a letter about the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas disease and wellness programs. She enrolled and was … Continue reading HealthyOptions program nurse helps pull member from deep depression

The power of purpose

Finding your purpose in life is a process—but one that science says is well worth it. Researchers recently found that when people feel like their lives have meaning, they tend to live longer. Looking at the Facts Growing evidence indicates that having a strong purpose improves both your physical and mental well-being. Now, this new study links sense of purpose with an increased lifespan and … Continue reading The power of purpose

PTSD awareness month

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after someone experiences a traumatic event or witnesses one. Below is information about recognizing the signs of PTSD and tips for prevention. What causes PTSD? Events that can lead to PTSD include military combat, childhood abuse, sexual violence, physical assault, an accident or natural disaster, loss of a loved one or working in … Continue reading PTSD awareness month

{Guest blog} Improve and maintain your mental health

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas partners with New Directions to provide behavioral health screenings, resources and support to our members and employees. Maintaining your mental health is just as important as your physical health. By prioritizing your emotional, psychological and social well-being, you are better equipped to deal with stressful times more effectively and feel better overall. Here are some tips to improve … Continue reading {Guest blog} Improve and maintain your mental health

{Guest blog} Effective communication

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas partners with New Directions to make sure our members and employees have access to the behavioral health resources they need. Communicating effectively can be complex and require practice and skill. Fortunately, there are specific things that you can do to build your communication tool box. Follow the suggestions below to learn some of the key techniques. Create an … Continue reading {Guest blog} Effective communication

{Guest blog} Balancing work and life

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas partners with New Directions to make sure our members and employees have access to the behavioral health resources they need. Despite the ongoing quest for work-life balance, many of us struggle to understand what this concept actually means. The truth is, we could all use a little help defining what balance looks and feels like in our lives. … Continue reading {Guest blog} Balancing work and life