- Declining youth mental health persists, and many young
people receive fragmented care
- Managing a child's mental health needs significantly impacts
working parents, both personally and professionally
- Opportunity for employers to strengthen approach to family
mental health, drive improved health outcomes
- The Cigna Group announced new, multiyear philanthropic
and community engagement program to improve youth mental
health
BLOOMFIELD, Conn., April 26,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Many American children
struggling with mental health challenges do not receive optimal
care, and it's exacerbating the damaging ripple effect on working
parents and their employers, according to global health company The
Cigna Group (NYSE: CI). A new report by the Evernorth Research
Institute details the increasing significance of the youth mental
health crisis, the challenges parents face, and provides a roadmap
of specific steps employers can take to better support today's
workforce.
"The youth mental health crisis continues to grow, and it is
taking a significant toll on kids, parents, families and their
communities," said David M. Cordani,
chairman and CEO, The Cigna Group. "To foster a vital, thriving
society, we must change the trajectory of the mental health crisis
and address the human and economic toll at its very core. In
collaboration with employers, we have the unique ability to curb
the crisis by more effectively engaging parents and children
quickly and seamlessly and fostering workplaces that are supportive
of family mental health."
Many young people are not receiving the full spectrum of
behavioral health care
The number of young people with mental health conditions has
increased 28% since 2018, and the number of young people with at
least two mental health diagnoses has risen 48% over the same
period. More than one in four parents report having a child with
mental health challenges, diagnosed or undiagnosed.
More young people than ever are receiving treatment for mental
health issues. However, treatment patterns show many young people
are receiving partial treatment, fragmented treatment, and some are
not obtaining treatment at all. One in five youths did not receive
any type of treatment within three months of an initial behavioral
health diagnosis, which can result in additional challenges, such
as increased severity of mental health conditions, impacts to
physical health, and behavioral issues at home and school.
Just under a third (29%) were receiving both medication and
therapy, and a significant number of young people were treated with
medication only. Yet the research shows young people who receive
therapy and medication have better medication adherence compared to
those who receive medication only.
Working parents struggling to tend to their child's mental
health needs and their own
More than half of working parents (55%) experienced challenges
obtaining behavioral health care for their child, and 36% reported
that access barriers were the reason their child was not receiving
counseling or therapy services. According to the research, working
parents reported difficulties finding a provider, getting an
appointment within a reasonable timeframe, and affording care. Not
receiving the right care when needed often results in poorer health
outcomes, escalated costs, and an inability for children and
parents to engage at home, school or work, and the community.
"Behind every young person, every prescription, and every
appointment is often a parent trying to help their child feel
better," said Eva Borden, president
of behavioral health, Evernorth Health Services. "The significant
emotional burden parents and caregivers carry manifests into stress
and anxiety that impacts life at home, at work, and in the
community. This research is a call to action for employers to
strengthen their approach to parental support and behavioral health
care to drive measurable, improved health outcomes – with the goal
of changing the trajectory of the crisis."
Employers can do more to make it easier for parents to care
for family mental health needs and help optimize their
workforces
Parents of children with mental health challenges said the top
ways employers can help are by providing access to enhanced
behavioral provider networks, time off for appointments, and
options for virtual behavioral care. On average, working parents of
a child with mental health challenges spend 7.7 hours per week
managing their child's needs. They also report up to four workdays
per month are disrupted by starting late, leaving early, or missing
days to tend to activities related to their child's mental
health.
According to the Evernorth analysis, four areas of opportunity
for employers to drive better behavioral health outcomes for young
people and parents are care delivery, customization, culture, and
community engagement.
The report "For a Healthy Workforce, Curbing The Youth Mental
Health Crisis Is Imperative" is based on an analysis from the
Evernorth Research Institute, which examined trends in youth mental
health conditions based on claims data for more than 20 million
commercially insured people under age 26. Evernorth also surveyed
more than 1,500 U.S. parents and more than 1,000 U.S. parents of
children who have mental health challenges in February 2024.
This research builds on previous research commissioned by
The Cigna Group tracking the scope and scale of the youth mental
health crisis. The Cigna Group has increased the number of
behavioral health specialists within its Cigna Healthcare and
Evernorth Health Services businesses who specialize in treating
younger people by 54% since 2021.
The Cigna Group Foundation Announces Commitment to
Post-Pandemic Acute Stress
The company also recently announced a new, multiyear
philanthropic and community engagement program to improve youth
mental health with a key focus on post-pandemic acute stress and
distress. The program will support a range of community
organizations through foundation grants, corporate giving, employee
matching, and volunteerism.
The Cigna Group Foundation will prioritize grants in regions
where The Cigna Group serves a significant number of customers with
high and very high social determinant of health risks, including
Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Tennessee, and Texas, and targeted international communities.
The grant application window is open through May 22, 2024, and nonprofits that specialize in
supporting youth mental health and well-being are encouraged to
apply.
About The Cigna Group
The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) is a global health company committed
to creating a better future built on the vitality of every
individual and every community. We relentlessly challenge ourselves
to partner and innovate solutions for better health. The Cigna
Group includes products and services marketed under Cigna
Healthcare, Evernorth Health Services or its subsidiaries. The
Cigna Group maintains sales capabilities in more than 30 countries
and jurisdictions, and has more than 183 million customer
relationships around the world. Learn more
at thecignagroup.com.
Media Contact
Kelly Mathews
(423) 260-9267
Kelly.mathews@evernorth.com
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SOURCE The Cigna Group