If you read or watch the news or scroll social media, you know that many people are struggling, as issues with mental health are impacting a significant portion of our society. Without proper treatment, mental health challenges can lead to loss of jobs, relationships, family or even worse, loss of life.

• Mental disorders are common. According to the CDC, “More than 50% of all people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with a mental disorder at some point in their lifetime.”
• These risk factors can contribute to mental health challenges, including trauma, abuse, medical conditions, chemical imbalances, alcohol and drug abuse, loneliness or isolation.
• Mental health impacts all socioeconomic groups and cultures.
• The sooner a person who is dealing with a mental health challenge can get help, the faster they can begin recovery.

People are often unsure about where to get help, or they may be afraid to ask for help. It’s time to reduce the stigmas around mental health and get people the help that they need. Find resources below that can help you navigate these common, but often debilitating, challenges and begin enjoying your best life.

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• Employee Assistance Programs
• State Health Plan Resources
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Mental Health Resources
• Behavioral Health Benefits
• Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network
• Mental Health Awareness Toolkit

Employee Assistance Programs

Personal issues, dealing with life events or simply managing daily life can affect your work, health and family. NC State’s Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FASAP) provides a variety of support resources and information that can help you and your loved ones address stress and other challenges, including personal, professional and family issues.

ComPsych, the world’s largest provider of employee assistance programs (EAP), administers the EAPs for both NC State and N.C. A&T. These programs, including FASAP and Aggie Employee Wellness, are confidential and provided at no charge to you and your dependents.

Resources cover topics including coping with a traumatic event, counseling and emotional support services, a mindfulness and relaxation toolkit, as well as YouTube videos that address a range of subjects.

You can access many of these services by visiting the ComPsych website or calling 866-467-0467, where a master’s- or doctoral-level clinician will listen to your concerns and refer you to in-person or virtual counseling services and other resources as needed.

The first time you log into the ComPsych site, you’ll need to register and enter the Organization Web ID: FASAP (NC State) or NCAT (N.C. A&T).

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State Health Plan Resources

*Note that the State Health Plan’s third-party administrator will switch from Blue Cross NC to Aetna on January 1, 2025. Learn more about the transition to Aetna.

State Health Plan benefits cover mental health and chemical dependency treatment, including office visits for a Primary Care Provider copay.

For information and details regarding mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorder benefits and services, please go to Employee Benefits and refer to your plan’s Benefits Booklet for the 70/30 Plan or 80/20 Plan as appropriate.

As part of your benefit you also have access to several online resources that include information on managing stress, anxiety, depression, drug misuse, or a substance use disorder. Visit Beacon Health Options, the Plan’s mental health case manager’s website, or call 800-367-6143.

Members eligible for services are those whose primary health coverage is through the State Health Plan. Federal law prohibits the Plan from using your personal health information to discriminate against you in any way or from giving this information to your employer/school or other unauthorized third party, unless required by law.

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Blue Cross Blue Shield Mental Health Resources

Mental Health Care | Behavioral Health | Blue Cross NC

It’s normal to experience ups and downs in life, but when your emotions or behaviors start to impact your relationships or your health, it’s time to act. Behavioral health concerns can strain your family, your job, even your finances. But you don’t have to go through it alone. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is here to help. Their nurse advocates, together with your primary care provider (PCP) and behavioral health providers in their network, are ready to give you the support you need to live your best life.

Behavioral health is part of your total health, so take good care of yourself. And please reach out if you need support.

• Need help finding an outpatient behavioral health care provider? Use Quartet. Quartet can quickly match you to care based on your Blue Cross NC plan, needs and preferences.
• Use Shatterproof’s ATLAS to find an addiction and substance use disorder treatment facility for you or a loved one.
• Talk to your primary care provider. They can address your concerns in the office or refer you to a behavioral health provider.
• Access the Blue Connect member site to find an in-network provider. Search for keywords like: Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Social Worker, Therapist, Substance Use or Counselor.
• Call the Blue Cross NC Customer Service number on the back of your member ID card. They will help connect you to a high-quality behavioral health provider or program.

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Behavioral Health Benefits

The Plan provides benefits for the treatment of mental disorders and substance abuse by a hospital, doctor or other provider. Coverage for in-network inpatient and outpatient services is coordinated through your Behavioral Health Case Manager. To understand more about when you need to contact the Behavioral Health Case Manager, see “How to Access Behavioral Health Services” below.

➢ Office Visit Services – The following professional services are covered when provided in an office setting:

• Evaluation and diagnosis
• Preventive office visits
• Medically necessary biofeedback and neuropsychological testing
• Individual and family counseling
• Group therapy

➢ Outpatient Services – Covered outpatient treatment services when provided in a behavioral health treatment facility include:

• Each service listed under “Office Visit Services” above
• Partial-day/night hospitalization services (minimum of four hours per day and 20 hours per week)
• Intensive Outpatient Program services (less than four hours per day and minimum of nine hours per week)

Certain in-network and out-of-network outpatient services, such as partial hospitalization and intensive therapy, require prior review and certification or services will not be covered. The list of services that require prior review may change from time to time.

➢ Inpatient Services – Covered inpatient treatment services also include:

• Each service listed under “Office Visit Services” above
• Semi-private room and board
• Detoxification to treat substance abuse

Prior review must be requested, and certification must be obtained, in advance for inpatient services or services will not be covered, except for emergencies. In-network providers in North Carolina are responsible for requesting concurrent and obtaining certification. If prior review is not requested and certification is not obtained for covered out-of-network inpatient admissions, services will be denied.

➢ Residential Treatment Facility Services – Prior review must be requested, and certification must be obtained, in advance for behavioral health services received in a residential treatment facility. In-network providers in North Carolina are responsible for requesting prior review and obtaining certification. If prior review is not requested and certification is not obtained for covered out-of network residential treatment facility services, services will be denied.

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How to Access Behavioral Health Services

When you need behavioral health treatment, you should call a Behavioral Health Case Manager customer service representative at the number given in “Who to Contact” available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Behavioral Health Case Manager customer service representative will refer you to a list of in-network providers and will give you the information you need to receive services. Language services are available free of charge through your Behavioral Health Case Manager.

Please let the Customer Service representative know if you need an interpreter to talk about your behavioral health benefits or help in translating any letters you receive from your Behavioral Health Case Manager regarding your care. You or your provider must receive certification from the Behavioral Health Case Manager prior to seeking care in an inpatient hospital, a Residential Treatment Center, partial day/night programs or intensive outpatient treatment programs.

• In order to receive in-network benefits, you must go to a State Health Plan Network provider.
• You may want to check with your in-network provider to make sure that certification has been obtained for services.
• Your in-network provider is required to use the State Health Plan Network hospital where they practice, unless that hospital cannot provide the services needed.
• If you choose to go to an out-of-network provider without obtaining certification for inpatient or outpatient services, or you go to any provider outside of North Carolina without obtaining certification for services, it will result in a full denial of your services.
• If you receive certification for out-of-network services, the services will be considered at the out-of-network benefit level. However, if in-network providers are not available as determined by Blue Cross NC’s access to care standards and certification is obtained, the Behavioral Health Case Manager will authorize the services to be covered at the in network benefit level.
• Emergency inpatient admissions do not require certification prior to the admission. However, you or your provider should notify the Behavioral Health Case Manager of your inpatient admissions.
• You should work with your doctor or other professional provider to make sure that certification has been obtained for partial-day/night, intensive therapy, or inpatient services. See “Utilization Management.” Contact the Behavioral Health Case Manager at the number given in “Who to Contact” for certification.

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Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network

Already among the most dangerous and emotionally-taxing professions, agriculture can be a feast-or-famine endeavor in more ways than one. During times of natural disaster, for example, farmers are faced not only with the loss of property and possessions, but family legacies and livelihoods. These situations can create trauma not only for farm families, but those working with and around them, including our Extension experts.

The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network-North Carolina (FRSAN-NC), an initiative of the N.C. Agromedicine Institute coordinated by East Carolina, N.C. A&T State and NC State universities, provides farmers and others working in agriculture-related settings a variety of stress assistance resources and programs.

One such resource is the North Carolina Farm Help Line. Available 24/7, the help line connects farmers and other agricultural professionals with mental health support, as well as financial, legal and other assistance as needed.

Find additional information in FRSAN’s N.C. Farm Stress Resource Directory and at Rural Mental Health Resilience, a program of Rural Minds and the National Grange.

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Mental Health Awareness Toolkit

ComPsych has created a Mental Health Awareness Toolkit. The toolkit will help you learn how mental and physical health are intertwined, how to achieve good work-life balance, how to deal with stress and more. The toolkit is also available in Spanish.

Community Resource Guide and Hotline

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) North Carolina Hotline – 800.451.9682
• National Suicide Hotline – 800.273.8255
• Alcohol and Drug Helpline – 800.821.4357
• NC State Counseling Center – 919.515.2423
• NC State EHS Safety Hotline – 919.515.5445

Please reach out to someone if you need to talk! Share this with friends and colleagues who might need a helping hand.
 

Experiencing a Crisis?
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out immediately to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988.