Magellan Healthcare Hosts Webinars in Support of National Depression and Mental Health Awareness and Screening Month

Magellan Healthcare, the behavioral and specialty healthcare segment of Magellan Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGLN), offers resources for youth and adults in support of National Depression and Mental Health Awareness and Screening Month in October.

Increased stressors brought about by the pandemic – grief and loss, social isolation, financial instability, fear, etc. – have exacerbated the state of mental health in the U.S. and increased the number of people looking for assistance. From January to September 2020, individuals who self-screened for anxiety increased by 93%, compared to all of 2019, and depression screening increased by 62% over the same time.¹ Since COVID-19 began, suicidal ideation in the U.S. has more than doubled, with younger adults, racial/ethnic minorities, essential workers, and unpaid adult caregivers experiencing disproportionately worse effects.²

Among those who experience a mental health illness, more than half do not receive treatment.³ Magellan Healthcare research has found that 60% of first-time behavioral health emergency department visits are the result of patients who saw their primary care physician within the previous six months yet had no behavioral health diagnosis.

“With historic spikes in depression and anxiety, the need for mental health screening as part of comprehensive behavioral healthcare is becoming more critical by the day,” said Candice Tate, M.D., medical director, Magellan Healthcare. “It is also increasingly difficult for individuals to access the necessary care due to provider shortages and limited access in rural areas. During National Depression and Mental Health Awareness and Screening Month, Magellan Healthcare is pleased to share resources to help individuals and primary care providers identify and address depression and other mental health conditions before they escalate.”

During October, Magellan will host the following virtual events focused on depression and mental health for adults and youth:

• Wednesday, October 27, 2021, from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET, “Hype or hip? Recovery and peers in the digital age,” a Magellan Healthcare eMpowered for Learning webinar with presenter, Keris Jän Myrick MS, MBA, director at the Jed Foundation and co-director of The Mental Health Strategic Impact Initiative. Visit here for more information, including continuing education credits, and free registration.

• Thursday, October 28, 2021, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET, “Depression is more than just a rough patch,” a webinar with Magellan Healthcare’s medical directors, Candice Tate, M.D., and Jamie Hanna, M.D. Visit here for more information and free registration.

• Thursday, October 28, 2021, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. ET, Stay Home for MY LIFE, a Magellan Healthcare virtual youth fest. This is for youth and young adults who have experience with mental health, substance use, juvenile justice and foster-care-related issues. Participants also include professionals and caregivers across the country. Visit here for more information and free registration.

Additional Magellan Mental Health Support Resources