Did you know that the ACA can help you be healthier and more resilient? It helps by ensuring all of your healthcare needs, including your mental health care needs, are taken care of.
Even people who are otherwise psychologically healthy may experience mental distress that can affect day-to-day functioning and overall health in response to a disaster or emergency. Research suggests that upwards of 35 percent of individuals who go through a distressing or traumatic event will experience symptoms such as grief, anxiety about safety, feeling of hopelessness, and physical symptoms. It is even common for experienced emergency workers or first responders to be overwhelmed emotionally by an unusual or particularly upsetting event.
Some groups are more at risk of psychological disruption after emergencies. Children and older adults are known to be more vulnerable to extreme stress reactions after a disaster. People with preexisting mental health disorders are at greater risk for new or renewed problems. Most disaster survivors will recover psychologically on their own over time by connecting to their normal coping mechanisms and social supports. Some, however, may find their psychological conditions worsen or additional concerns, such as substance abuse, develop if they don’t get help.
Most of us already know that mental health and wellbeing is an essential part of overall health. Even if you have never had a mental health disorder yourself, you probably know or have been close to someone who has.
Statistics show that about one in five Americans experience some sort of mental illness every year. Conditions may include mild to moderate depression, stress disorders, or temporary adjustment disorders. Five percent of Americans suffer from chronic mental health conditions such as severe anxiety disorders like PTSD, bi-polar disorder and chronic depression.
Anyone suffering symptoms of mental illness is more vulnerable to stress brought on by traumatic or highly stressful events like disasters.
The prevalence of mental health disorders in our country, day-to-day and due to disasters, translates into big costs for our communities in terms of lost productivity and social connectedness. It also carries significant economic impacts due to the higher medical care costs associated with unaddressed mental illness.
Yet, in spite of how common and how costly mental health concerns are, only about 60 percent of people who are experiencing mental illness get treatment. A big reason for this in the past has been a lack of accessibility due to limits on insurance benefits to pay for mental health and substance use treatment.
The ACA has changed that; now most plans are required to provide behavioral health benefits as part of their essential benefits. This means that people who are currently experiencing mental health disorders can get the care they need so that they can be healthier every day, and more resilient if a disaster happens. It also means that anyone struggling with mental health or substance use concerns following a disaster can access professional support and recover more quickly.
Make sure you have comprehensive healthcare that includes mental health, or enroll in a plan that does during Open Season and visit Healthcare.Gov to learn more about your options and sign up for a plan. December 15 is the deadline to sign up for coverage that starts on January 1. The final deadline for enrollment is January 31. Take some time today to find a plan that is right for you. You will be taking important steps to improve your personal preparedness and build your foundation of individual resilience.
