INSURANCE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH Spring is here, even in Wy- oming. Flowers are blooming. Birds are chirping and making their nests. Kids are enjoying the longer days in the sun. Spring is often associated with growth, renewal, hope and positivity- a perfect time to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Sadly, Wyoming is still one of the leading states for suicide. From April 27, 2022-May 9, 2022, KFF found that in Wyoming the share of adults reporting symp- toms of anxiety and/or depres need for counseling or therapy was 32.4%. The national aver- age was 28.2% during that same time. "Suicide is often linked to underlying medical conditions, but that is not always in the case. Risk factors can include isolation, relationship struggles, financial or housing insecurity, or problems with physical health." (https://www.kff.org/statedata/ mental-health-and-substance- use-state-fact-sheets/wyoming). In 2023, the Wyoming legis- lature passed W.S. $ 26-20-107. This statute addressed the reim- substance use disorder benefits. This statute requires specified health insurance policies that provide mental health and sub- stance use disorder benefits to provide reimbursement for benefits that are delivered to the insured through the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model. Wy- oming also has a statute re- garding parity for mental health and substance use disorder. The statute requires the equal treat- ment of mental health condi- tions and substance use disor- ders in insurance plans that offer mental health or substance use disorder coverage. Reach out to your insurance provider to dis- cover what coverage is available for mental health treatment and substance use disorder. Self-care is essential for men- tal health and overall well-being. We now see professional ath- letes, actors and actresses and other high-profile public figures address their mental health and well-being. This is an important step because by addressing their mental health they are removing the stigma, and enforcing the message that it is okay to not be okay. When you take care of your mental health, your physical and emotional health also im- proves; you become more resil- lent and it makes it easier to find a way to manage life stressors in a healthy and positive way. Here are some strategies to Enjoy nature- Wyoming has many beautiful outdoor locations to immerse yourself in nature. Going for a walk or hike can help with management of depression or anxiety symptoms. Connect with family and friends- Humans are social be- ings. We thrive on connection, support, love and belonging. Extracurricular- Join a book club, take a hobby related class, attend a concert. Sleep- Another critical piece of maintaining positive mental health is getting enough sleep. Join a support group- Reach out and connect with others who can share strategies for getting through challenging times. Exercise- Spend time each day to walk, run, bike or whatever you can do to move your body. Remember to check in on friends and loved ones and ask them how they are doing. Tak- ing care of yourself is not selfish. Your self-care is necessary for you to be able to take care of others and lead a fulfilling life. For other suggestions on mental health awareness you can visit Sub- stance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMH- sive disorder who had an unmet bursement for mental health and help you maintain positive men- SA) at https://samhsa.gov/mental- This public service announcement is presented and paid for by the insurance companies licensed to do business in Wyoming in cooperation with the Wyoming Insurance Department. For more information on the state's insurance companies, including financial information visit the Insurance Department website's "Company Financial Information" section tal health. health-awareness-month Wyoming Department of Insurance http://doi.wyo.gov 1 (800) 438-5768 INSURANCE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH Spring is here , even in Wy- oming . Flowers are blooming . Birds are chirping and making their nests . Kids are enjoying the longer days in the sun . Spring is often associated with growth , renewal , hope and positivity- a perfect time to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month . Sadly , Wyoming is still one of the leading states for suicide . From April 27 , 2022 - May 9 , 2022 , KFF found that in Wyoming the share of adults reporting symp- toms of anxiety and / or depres need for counseling or therapy was 32.4 % . The national aver- age was 28.2 % during that same time . " Suicide is often linked to underlying medical conditions , but that is not always in the case . Risk factors can include isolation , relationship struggles , financial or housing insecurity , or problems with physical health . " ( https://www.kff.org/statedata/ mental - health - and - substance- use - state - fact - sheets / wyoming ) . In 2023 , the Wyoming legis- lature passed W.S. $ 26-20-107 . This statute addressed the reim- substance use disorder benefits . This statute requires specified health insurance policies that provide mental health and sub- stance use disorder benefits to provide reimbursement for benefits that are delivered to the insured through the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model . Wy- oming also has a statute re- garding parity for mental health and substance use disorder . The statute requires the equal treat- ment of mental health condi- tions and substance use disor- ders in insurance plans that offer mental health or substance use disorder coverage . Reach out to your insurance provider to dis- cover what coverage is available for mental health treatment and substance use disorder . Self - care is essential for men- tal health and overall well - being . We now see professional ath- letes , actors and actresses and other high - profile public figures address their mental health and well - being . This is an important step because by addressing their mental health they are removing the stigma , and enforcing the message that it is okay to not be okay . When you take care of your mental health , your physical and emotional health also im- proves ; you become more resil- lent and it makes it easier to find a way to manage life stressors in a healthy and positive way . Here are some strategies to Enjoy nature- Wyoming has many beautiful outdoor locations to immerse yourself in nature . Going for a walk or hike can help with management of depression or anxiety symptoms . Connect with family and friends- Humans are social be- ings . We thrive on connection , support , love and belonging . Extracurricular- Join a book club , take a hobby related class , attend a concert . Sleep- Another critical piece of maintaining positive mental health is getting enough sleep . Join a support group- Reach out and connect with others who can share strategies for getting through challenging times . Exercise- Spend time each day to walk , run , bike or whatever you can do to move your body . Remember to check in on friends and loved ones and ask them how they are doing . Tak- ing care of yourself is not selfish . Your self - care is necessary for you to be able to take care of others and lead a fulfilling life . For other suggestions on mental health awareness you can visit Sub- stance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ( SAMH- sive disorder who had an unmet bursement for mental health and help you maintain positive men- SA ) at https://samhsa.gov/mental- This public service announcement is presented and paid for by the insurance companies licensed to do business in Wyoming in cooperation with the Wyoming Insurance Department . For more information on the state's insurance companies , including financial information visit the Insurance Department website's " Company Financial Information " section tal health . health - awareness - month Wyoming Department of Insurance http://doi.wyo.gov 1 ( 800 ) 438-5768