While the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health illnesses for children nationwide, research points to an increasing prevalence of adolescent mental health illness even prior to the pandemic.
Blue Shield of California is helping increase access, awareness, and advocacy for mental health support for California youth through our BlueSky Initiative, which is featured in the Modern Medicaid Alliance blog.
BlueSky’s program includes providing access to clinicians in middle and high schools, training educators to spot signs of mental health issues, empowering students with culturally affirming mental health support resources, and supporting career development for professionals pursuing careers in mental health.
“[BlueSky is] a new model of collaboration between school districts, nonprofit organizations, and a managed care plan that addresses mental health needs of youth in the communities that we serve and gives them tools to develop resilience, regardless of insurance eligibility," said Kristen Cerf, president and CEO of Blue Shield Promise Health Plan.
Read the full Modern Medicaid Alliance story, published March 21, here.