Health and Wellness

Behavioral health

New Directions Behavioral Health® has managed behavioral health services for Blue Cross since 2009. All BCBSKS members have behavioral health services included as part of your health insurance plan. These include mental health services, substance abuse treatment and more. If you have questions about your services or want more information, visit the New Directions Behavioral Health website.

What you can expect

New Directions can help you:

• Find the right doctors and treatment facilities for your unique needs
• Confirm provider participation in your health plan network
• Give you information about people and groups in your community that can help you
• Assist you and your doctors to work together toward your goals
• Inform you about topics such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorder and bipolar disorder
• Offer coaching and support services

If you or a loved one are experiencing some of the following, please call 1-800-952-5906. New Directions is ready to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Depression

• Loss of interest/pleasure in ordinary activities
• Changes in appetite and sleep
• Fatigue, loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Trouble thinking, concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is an alternating period of depression and mania, characterized by:

• High or euphoric feelings
• Racing thoughts or rapid speech
• Increased energy and decreased need for sleep
• Reckless behavior, spending sprees or rash decisions

Anxiety

Anxiety normally comes and goes for most of us. For more than four million adults, constant anxiety seriously interferes with their lives. One or more of these can be signs of anxiety.

• Excessive anxiety and worry about issues large and small
• Difficulty concentrating
• Headaches, muscle aches and tension
• Fatigue and edginess
• Sleep disturbance
• Trembling, clammy hands, dry mouth, sweating and nausea

Alcoholism

While alcohol is a part of our culture, for about 14 million Americans, drinking has caused physical, emotional, social and legal harm. Consider these questions:

• Have you ever wanted to cut down your drinking?
• Has a relative, friend, doctor or co-worker expressed concern about your drinking?
• Have you ever felt guilty or embarrassed about things you have done while drinking?
• Have you ever been arrested for driving under the influence, or had other legal problems as the result of alcohol?
• Do you ever call in sick to work because of feeling hung over from drinking?
• Has drinking affected your ability to fulfill your family or employment responsibilities?

Eating disorder

It seems that almost all Americans are concerned about their weight or eating habits. For more than 5 million people, this concern has become one of the dangerous medical disorders of anorexia, bulimia or binge eating. Your eating might be out of control if you:

• Have an intense fear of gaining weight
• Over-exercise and restrict calories
• Avoid eating in front of others
• Have a poor self-image
• Self-induce vomiting or use laxatives inappropriately