Oscar | Let’s talk about mental health | hioscar Blog | Oscar
Let’s talk about mental health
It’s important to have a mental health routine in place.
General Health Oscar Health Insurance
6 min read
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With so many things going on in the world these days, managing your mental health can often take a backseat. It’s important to have a mental health routine in place to help you manage day-to-day stress and cope well if life throws you a curveball.
How to get started in taking care of your mental health
It’s not always easy to get started. But we’re here to help you find the right care and resources for you. Here are some things to consider as you begin.
Find someone to talk to (that’s covered by your health insurance plan)
But what kind of provider should you look for? The types of doctors that can treat mental health issues through office visits are:
Primary Care Providers (opens in new tab) (PCPs): They can help you with many mental health issues — such as mild to moderate anxiety, depression, and emotional distress. They can even help you figure out what type of mental health specialist to see, and refer you to a provider based on your condition. They can also prescribe meds if needed. You can even talk to a PCP from the comfort of your home with Oscar’s Primary Care.
Psychiatrists (aka medical doctors specializing in mental health): They can prescribe medications that may help treat anxiety, depression, and chronic mental health issues, including more serious conditions.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners: They can provide assessment and therapy, as well as prescribe and monitor medication.
Psychologists, social workers, and counselors: These are trained professionals you can talk with on a regular basis to treat mental health issues. There are a variety of therapy techniques they may use to treat you, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, and dialectical-behavior therapy.
Find the right match (it may take some trial and error) One of the most important components to a successful mental health routine is finding the right provider for your unique needs. Not just your mental health concerns and budget, but also the right match for your background. Being comfortable with your mental health provider is key to the vulnerable, open conversations that are necessary to make progress along your mental health journey.
In your first session, you can ask questions like, “What would you say to someone beginning therapy for the first time?” It’ll help you get a grasp of their style.
Find a provider who actually understands you and your background
Research shows (opens in new tab) that culturally competent providers (or those who trained or specialized in working with various multicultural populations) are critical to mental healthcare access. According to one study, racial and ethnic minorities received (opens in new tab) less access to care in comparison to non-minorities.
Culturally competent providers are equipped to help individuals and communities experiencing racial trauma, which refers to the mental and emotional injury caused by encounters with racial bias and ethnic discrimination, racism, and hate crimes.
For communities of color, race-related trauma (opens in new tab) can have a harmful impact on one’s mental health, but there are options (opens in new tab) available if you need them. We know that having a safe space to talk about feelings of anger and sadness can help.
Not quite ready to dive into a full mental healthcare routine?
Even if you’re not ready to go full on with your mental health journey or are struggling to find time to continue it, there are still things you can do to support yourself. We’ve put together a list of mental health resources for whenever you need them.
Here’s what’s available to you right now:
Crisis line: Optum, our behavioral health benefits partner, has a toll-free crisis line that’s free of charge and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (877)-855-1317
Virtual Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Support:WeConnect (opens in new tab) provides peer and contingency management support for SUD while members are unable to access in-person support.
National Hotlines: If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or overwhelm, there are a number hotlines that provide immediate crisis and non-crisis counseling and support. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline is (800) 662-4357. The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is phone number is 988.
Virtual Mental Health Visits: We partner with Doctor on Demand (opens in new tab) to provide virtual mental health visits. Members can visit DoctoronDemand.com and sign up for an account using their Oscar ID and selecting “Oscar” as the Health Plan option on the drop-down menu. Costs will vary based on your Oscar plan.
There are also plenty of mental and behavioral health practices you can try on your own. Here are just a few that things that our medical team recommends:
Practice simple breathing techniques: Sitting up straight or lying down on the floor, inhale deeply and allow your belly to expand. Count to five as you exhale slowly. Repeat a few times.
Go outside for at least 15 minutes a day: Breathe fresh air, go for a walk around the block, and try to get your heart rate up.
Eat healthy, balanced meals: It may be tempting to eat a lot during stressful times (or not eat at all), but try to maintain a regular eating schedule with nutritional food choices when possible.
Get together with friends and family: It’s good to express how you’re feeling to people you trust. Plan to connect with loved ones on a regular basis — even if it’s by video chat. Maybe even start a game night or book club.
Pursue a new interest or explore a creative passion: There are many in-person and online classes out there. Try something new! Yoga classes, DIY crafting videos, concerts and events, and more. There’s something for everyone.
You’re not alone
Whether you’re looking for someone to talk to or interested in getting started on an ongoing mental health routine, we’re here to help.
Through Oscar's partner Optum, anyone seeking mental health support can access a $0, 24/7 counseling helpline by calling (866) 342-6892. And remember, if you or a loved one need immediate crisis support, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for free at 988.
*Oscar’s Virtual Urgent Care offerings are not available in US territories or internationally. If you have an HSA-compatible high-deductible health plan or a Secure plan, you won't be eligible for $0 visits. Prescriptions, visits and services may be limited per provider discretion.
