Blueprint Autumn 2021
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Blue & You Foundation<br />
focuses on BEHAVIORAL HEALTH<br />
ehe past year has been hard<br />
T for us all. The COVID-19<br />
pandemic forced us to physically<br />
distance ourselves from friends and<br />
loved ones and brought financial<br />
hardship and uncertainty. This was<br />
in addition to fears for our own<br />
health and the health of our loved<br />
ones. All of this contributes to<br />
increased levels of stress, anxiety,<br />
loneliness and even depression<br />
– elements that are central to our<br />
behavioral health. An increase in<br />
behavioral health conditions like<br />
this can lead to behaviors like<br />
eating poorly, smoking and drinking<br />
alcohol. These actions worsen our<br />
behavioral health and can have a<br />
direct impact on our physical health.<br />
Behavioral health issues touch<br />
people in all walks of life in<br />
Arkansas. But, many people don’t<br />
get the help they or their children<br />
need to treat these issues. As part<br />
of our commitment to a healthier<br />
Arkansas, we are taking action to<br />
support proven behavioral health<br />
resources for the unique needs of<br />
our community.<br />
health programs focused on our<br />
community. We are giving money<br />
to six organizations across<br />
Arkansas. Each is a proven<br />
expert on addressing behavioral<br />
health needs in children and<br />
adults. Also, they help grow our<br />
state’s network of behavioral<br />
health medical professionals.<br />
Investing in our future<br />
The health and well-being of<br />
our children is something we all<br />
care deeply about. Too often,<br />
behavioral health conditions in<br />
children are not detected until<br />
later in life. Untreated behavioral<br />
health conditions early in life, such<br />
as anxiety, depression or issues<br />
related to childhood trauma,<br />
can lead to significant health<br />
problems as children age. The<br />
Blue & You Foundation is investing<br />
in two programs that will help<br />
address the causes of behavioral<br />
health conditions in children and<br />
support them and their families in<br />
identifying the care they need.<br />
• HealthySteps, a pilot program led<br />
by Arkansas Children’s, places<br />
behavioral health specialists in<br />
pediatric primary care clinics<br />
in Arkansas to help families<br />
better understand and recognize<br />
symptoms of behavioral health<br />
conditions in children and<br />
connect them to care.<br />
• Arkansas Trauma Resource<br />
Initiative for Schools provides<br />
resources to school employees<br />
to recognize signs of childhood<br />
trauma and support children<br />
and their families by connecting<br />
them with local behavioral<br />
healthcare resources. The<br />
program also provides<br />
behavioral health resources to<br />
schools during times of crisis.<br />
In Arkansas the need for childhood behavioral<br />
healthcare is greater than across the country.<br />
Taking action now<br />
Through our Blue & You<br />
Foundation for a Healthier<br />
Arkansas, we are investing<br />
$5.29 million in Arkansas-based<br />
programs to improve access to,<br />
and awareness of, behavioral<br />
4 AUTUMN <strong>2021</strong><br />
Percentage of children who need<br />
behavioral healthcare but do not receive it.<br />
Arkansas<br />
National<br />
65.7 %<br />
58.5 %