Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Seeking Innovative Ways to Help Youths, Seniors and New Mothers Suffering from Depression

Applications for new grant program available online at bcbsm.com

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DETROIT, July 14, 2006 - It can affect anyone, regardless of age, economic status or ethnic group. It can be a debilitating condition leading to paralyzing guilt, self-doubt and listlessness, and even suicide. It is depression, and it affects nearly one in seven state residents at any given time.

Developing innovative ways that Michigan nonprofit organizations can address this condition in youth, older adults and new mothers is the goal of a new grant program announced by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network. Applicants have until Aug. 4 to submit their proposals, and applications are available online at http://www.bcbsm.com/grants. 

"Depression is often referred to as America's silent epidemic. It is an illness that can be just as devastating as diabetes or heart disease but is very responsive to treatment, with up to 80 percent of those receiving help recovering from the illness to lead healthy, fulfilled lives," according to Beth Goldman, M.D., medical consultant for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and an adjunct clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Medicine. However, if left untreated, depression can have severe consequences, including an inability to function at home, or in the workplace.

Among youth, suicide is the leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5- to 14-year-olds. Some 70 percent of children afflicted with mental, emotional or behavioral disorders don't receive help.

Seniors age 65 and older comprise 13 percent of the U.S. population, yet accounted for 18 percent of all suicides in 2000. The incidence of suicide among Caucasian men age 85 and older in 2000 was more than five times the national average.

"Since depression often occurs with other chronic illnesses, some health care professionals and those afflicted mistakenly conclude that it is a normal part of aging," adds Calmeze H. Dudley, M.D., Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan medical director of mental health services.

Depression can also affect new and expectant mothers. Up to 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression, in some cases more than a year after childbirth. 

Grants will range from $5,000 to $50,000 to expand new and existing programs that raise awareness of depression and help direct those in need to treatment. Since 2001, the company has awarded annual grants to spur early detection and treatment of depression among older adults, teens and new mothers. In 2005, 17 ongoing grants were awarded and are expected to help up to 15,000 Michigan residents deal with the condition. Examples of successful programs include:

• The Corner Health Center, a community agency in Ypsilanti that provides comprehensive medical care, health education and support services to teens regardless of income or insurance status. The Corner Theater Troupe/Peer Education Program is providing workshops to 600 youths and their parents and teachers. The troupe works with audience members to decrease the stigma attached to depression and mental illness, increase awareness of the incidence of depression in teens, and increase knowledge about teenagers living with depression. The program also includes discussing and practicing how teens can effectively respond to a friend or family member who appears depressed. 
• Wayne-Westland Community Schools is undertaking a continuing program funded by a 2005 Michigan Blues grant to help educate and provide prevention services to ninth graders to help them acknowledge and recognize signs of suicide and depression in themselves or others. The grant also enabled students to receive follow-up care. Of the 900 students who participated in the program, 89 percent said they could now recognize the symptoms of depression, 92 percent agreed the program was helpful, and 90 percent said they now knew how to deal with thoughts about harming themselves. Of the students in the program in 2006, 5 percent were in treatment for depression, 9 percent had attempted suicide in the last year and 9 percent had considered suicide.
• The Michigan Hospice and Palliative Care Organization hosted a first-ever conference on depression and bereavement in Lansing on June 16. The conference attracted more than 170 community mental health, human service, hospice and funeral home staff; other caregivers, and clergy. The attendees learned about distinguishing depression from grief, treatments for depression, and how to assist those who are depressed or grieving.

Other innovative programs the Michigan Blues are undertaking include increasing depression awareness through sponsorship of a summer series of Blues music in Grand Rapids, piloting a program for business leaders about depression in the workplace, supporting leading edge research on depression treatment by primary care physicians, and developing depression education materials and treatment guidelines for health care providers and the public. 

In addition to being online, grant applications also are available by phoning Carolyn Wiener at 248-448-5026, or e-mailing her at cwiener@bcbsm.com. To qualify for the Blues' depression grant program, applicants must be a nonprofit organization. The grant application deadline is Aug. 4, 2006. For more information, visit www.bcbsm.com.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit corporation, provides or administers health care benefits to just over 4.7 million members through a variety of plans: Traditional Blue Cross Blue Shield; Blue Preferred, Community Blue and Healthy Blue PPOs; Blue Choice Point of Service; Blue Care Network HMO, and Flexible Blue plans compatible with health savings accounts. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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