"
People who were displaced by the storms have lost their homes, schools,
communities, places of worship, daily routines, social support, personal
possessions and much more. To help
members with depression help themselves, take their medications and follow
their doctor's advice, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota will launch the
state's most comprehensive disease management program for depression starting
in February 2005.

crisislink hardship

"
The new PSA campaign is designed to help adults, children and first
responders who have been impacted by the hurricanes and are in need of mental
health services. Viewers and listeners are encouraged to
take time to check in on how they and their families are doing, and call a
confidential toll-free number (1-800-789-2647 for adults/parents and
1-800 -273-TALK for first responders) to speak to a trained professional who
can assist with information and referrals to local services.
Specifically, nurses will regularly call and be on call for members with
depression to educate and support them regarding:

-- Medications
-- Self-monitoring
-- Side-effects
-- Warning signs of relapse
-- Healthy lifestyle behaviors
-- Identification of treatment barriers

Nurses will screen members using a simple depression screening tool,
provide the results to the members' doctors, collaborate with Blue Cross'
pharmacy benefits manager to monitor medication compliance, and work to help
patients understand and stick to their doctors' treatment plans.
Offered in partnership with disease management leader American Healthways,
Blue Cross' program is the nation's most extensive, supporting nearly 200,000
members with any one of more than 40 conditions including asthma, diabetes,
heart disease , low back pain, fibromyalgia, nine forms of cancer, and several
dozen others.

intentionally suicidal

This program equips patients with ongoing
support and will improve many lives. A not-for-profit, taxable organization , Blue Cross is the largest
health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.6 million members in Minnesota and
nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated
companies.

suicidality preteen

Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder --
including depression, grief and anger -- are to be expected among some who
survived the hurricanes.
All of the interventions are based on guidelines by the Institute for
Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI), which has made depression management a
priority for 2005. Traditional disease management programs often cover just a few
of these conditions.

infosource suicidality

According to SAMHSA, the psychological impact of these experiences can be both
serious and long-lasting."
An estimated 30,000 fully insured members will initially benefit from the
program. Paul
suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota's first health plan and
continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more
economical and timely availability of health services for the people of
Minnesota.

hardship siec

"The hurricanes have had a devastating impact on the lives of hundreds of
thousands of Americans.

Support for Depression Now Available in Minnesota

, A Minnesota Community Measurement
study last fall showed that only half of people with depression continue their
treatment and medications six months, as recommended by their doctor. Blue Cross will offer the program to virtually all of its fully
insured members, as part of its BluePrint for Health (R) care support program.

stressful suicidality

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St.

suicidality noun

"We've continued to work with the states to provide access to mental health
and substance abuse services to help Americans through this tough time.

suicidal dianna

The PSAs are being
distributed to television and radio stations nationwide via the FastChannel
Network and will air in advertising time that will be donated by the media.

noun preteen

"Since the beginning of this unprecedented disaster we have been concerned
about the mental well-being of those impacted," Secretary Leavitt said.
"Most hurricane survivors demonstrate remarkable resiliency and will
rebuild theirs lives without significant mental or substance abuse issues,"
SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie said.
Self-insured purchasers can purchase the program for their employees this
spring.

escalation hardship

Suicide (from Latin sui caedere, to kill oneself) is the act of intentionally ending one's own life; it is sometimes a noun for one who has committed, or attempted the act.

escalation dianna

According to SAMHSA, past research on the mental health consequences of
major floods and hurricanes suggests that the psychological impacts of the
recent hurricanes could be extensive . SAMHSA estimates that -- in those areas
that have been significantly impacted by the hurricanes -- 25 percent to
30 percent of the population may experience clinically significant mental
health needs and an additional 10 percent to 20 percent may show sub-clinical,
but not trivial, needs.

hardship gravely

And by helping people live healthier, the program saves more than
$2 in preventable claims costs overall for every dollar invested in the
program," said Gold, citing first-year and 18-month clinical and financial
results.

suicidality siec

"This poignant campaign, created pro bono by
Grey Advertising, will encourage victims to get help and hope if they need it,
especially during the holiday season when all that they have lost may be more
difficult to cope with.samhsa. Blue Cross Expands Nation's Most Extensive Disease Management Program

EAGAN, Minn.

consolation helplines

They may also develop physical health and behavior
problems, such as substance abuse disorders among adults and conduct problems
among children.

The campaign includes television and radio spots, which are
available in English and Spanish, and addresses the fears, thoughts, concerns
and questions faced by the victims.

intentionally consolation

WASHINGTON, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today
launched a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to
encourage people who may be experiencing psychological distress following the
recent hurricanes to consider seeking mental health services. Some of these problems may not surface for months or years. "We also know that there are a
smaller but still significant number of people who will have difficulty
achieving recovery without professional assistance.

BluePrint for Health care support is administered through a partnership
with American Healthways, the nation's leading and largest provider of disease
management, care enhancement and high-risk health management services proven
to improve the quality of health care and lower costs. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee
of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago.

attempters suicidality

crisislink befrienders

"People with chronic conditions and diseases often suffer from
depression too, so integrating the two is an additional advantage for our
members," Gold said.
"The program works by helping people live their healthiest, so they avoid
unnecessary trips to the emergency room and hospital, with an enhanced quality
of life .

ideation siec

Up to 500,000 people may be in need of assistance.gov.

suicide noun

The PSAs, the
result of a partnership between HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Ad Council, will be distributed to
12,000 media outlets nationwide.

sprc depressing

HHS Secretary Leavitt Unveils National PSA Campaign to Provide Mental Health Services to Hurricane Survivors

I
hope these public service announcements , our toll-free number and website will
provide information and support to those who need help.

sprc consolation

Help is a phone call
away. As they struggle to rebuild their lives and focus on
their immediate physical needs, it is important for them to also consider
their short and long-term emotional needs," said President + CEO of The
Advertising Council Peggy Conlon.
"Depression interferes with a person 's quality of life and often leads to
other health problems, which if not addressed, unnecessarily burdens them,
their loved ones, their employer and the health care system," said Dr. Bill
Gold , chief medical officer and vice president for Blue Cross.

contemplating depressing

escalation preteen

The PSAs aim to reach adult victims and
first responders directly, as well as parents and caregivers who can assess
their children's emotional well-being.

siec ideation

In some cases, these losses were coupled with
losing loved ones and witnessing death , destruction and criminal violence."
To view the ads, please visit http://www. "People stop
treatments and medications for many reasons: They forget, experience side
effects, can't afford their drugs , don't understand their doctor's directions,
or simply need encouragement. The program
will be integrated with Blue Cross' existing crisis and behavioral health
phone lines.

intentionally contemplating