Cigna, one of the largest health insurance providers in the world, has expanded its virtual mental health provider network to make it easier for patients to access care during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Patients can talk, text or video with a therapist on demand. 

The expansion includes partnering with major mobile therapy company, Talkspace, to provide patients access to licensed therapists on demand from their cell phone or computer. In Arizona and other select states, patients can also access virtual mental health services through Meru Health’s 12-week app program.  

Coronavirus taking toll on emotional health

COVID-19 has accelerated the need for digital options for patients, said Dr. Rodgers M. Wilson, market medical executive for Cigna in Arizona where the company has over 465,000 customers.

Isolation, unemployment, being cooped up at home. These are raising anxiety levels and substance abuse in American households.

“We do know clinically, there’s an increase in alcohol consumption, there’s an increase in anxiety and there’s a recent report that indicated that 46 percent of Americans are concerned about getting the COVID-19 virus,” Wilson said.

Americans under stress, drinking more 

National surveys depict a rise in anxiety levels among many Americans.   

A new 2020 survey published by the American Psychological Association (APA) finds that many Americans are experiencing considerable stress related to the coronavirus. Parents are among those feeling the most overwhelmed, the study shows. Adults with children report stress levels 20 percent higher than adults without children.  

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported an extreme spike in calls to its “Disaster Distress Helpline.” In March, calls increased 891 percent from last year. 

Substance abuse is of particular concern because peer-support is linked with successful treatment, Wilson said. 

“We’re telling everybody to socially distance; that increases the risk for those in recovery who require peer support in order to recover from their substance abuse addiction,” Wilson said. 

Now, there are options for virtual anonymous peer support. 

More patients seeking virtual therapy 

Since the pandemic started, patients have increased their use of virtual therapy, Wilson said.

Behavioral health visits have increased by 75 percent during the pandemic. Of those 25 percent have been video-enabled.

“That’s really exciting. Prior to the lockdown quarantine, virtual utilization was 2 percent. Presently, at post lockdown, it was at 57 percent,” Wilson said. 

Now, Wilson hopes that people who have been reluctant to seek treatment or counseling will be more comfortable doing it by phone or text.    

“This allows us to get services for people who would not seek services due to pandemic. But also it’s an opportunity to increase access for people who don’t seek behavioral health because of stigma. So it’s a great opportunity to engage those individuals also.”

Advice for those feeling more anxious

Wilson’s advice for those feeling more anxious but not in need of therapy? Nutrition, sufficient sleep, meditation or prayer. And turn off social media.

“Really limit your exposure to the constant banter of the pandemic; I think we need to reduce the amount of exposure to the news that goes on and on.” 

Virtual care services expanded in Arizona and nationwide

Cigna has launched the following virtual care providers in select states to deliver more support for mental health needs for customers:

·        Anxiety, Depression and Burnout: Through a 12-week app-based program, Cigna customers receive daily support from licensed clinicians and anonymous peers to treat anxiety, depression and burnout. The program is conducted through Meru Health and is available to customers in Arizona, California, and Colorado.

·        Substance Use Recovery: Cigna customers can access substance use recovery support by connecting with certified peer support specialists virtually through a partnership with MAP Health Management. The program is available to customers in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

·        Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Customers who are diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)  have access to NOCD, a treatment program led by a licensed, OCD-trained therapist with live video appointments and support in-between sessions by messaging the therapist and leveraging the platform’s digital tools. It is available to customers in California, Michigan, and North Carolina.

All of these virtual services will be available through Cigna’s outpatient behavioral health coverage, subject to benefit plan cost share.

COVID-19 resources for all communities

Cigna also is providing supportive resources for all customers, clients and communities for managing anxiety, fear, stress and improving resiliency during COVID-19. For more information, visit Cigna’s .

About Cigna

Cigna Corporation is a global health service company with subsidiaries, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Express Scripts companies or their affiliates, and Life Insurance Company of North America. To learn more about Cigna, visit .

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No senior prom. No walk across the stage to accept that first college diploma. 

These are the realities for many graduating students across Arizona under the pandemic stay-at-home order. 

That’s why education advocates are encouraging everyone who knows a high school or college graduate to join in to celebrate and honor students and teachers in other ways this month on May 5 and May 20. 

“Teachers are missing their students and graduates are missing their friends, but they should not have to miss out on being honored,” said Christine Thompson, CEO and president of the nonprofit Expect More Arizona that is promoting the events. “This year, it’s especially important that teachers and graduates feel seen and celebrated.” 

Any kind of celebration will do

Because many students and teachers are unable to celebrate in traditional ways, Expect More Arizona is encouraging the state to join together for two special days:

• Tuesday, May 5 – Arizona Teacher Appreciation Day
• Wednesday, May 20 – Arizona Graduate Recognition Day

Any kind of celebration will do. Suggestions from Expect More Arizona include decorating front doors and yards with school colors, adding pictures to digital yearbooks, and virtual parties. The organization is posting , posters, social media images, and other tools to aid the celebration.  

Businesses also encouraged to honor educators, students

Expect More Arizona is also calling on companies and organizations to celebrate educators and students on May 5 and May 20 as well.

They are recommending businesses do things such as take out ads in local papers to recognize teachers and students, post celebratory messages on their home pages or hang banners near neighborhood schools.  

Creative activities and virtual ceremonies statewide  

Many high schools have already planned virtual graduation ceremonies and other activities to make their students and teachers feel special. 

Other schools are still undecided or have opted to have public ceremonies even if it means delaying them until it’s safe. 

All but one of the 11 Basis Charter schools in the state are delaying their ceremonies until it’s deemed safe to hold public events. Basis Chandler and Flagstaff are hosting online events as well.

Schools are finding new and creative ways to make memories for those missing out on the  traditional pomp and circumstance. 

Chandler High and Dobson High in Mesa, as well as other high schools across the Valley, have been turning on their stadium lights at night to honor the class of 2020. 

At Madison Highland Prep high school in Phoenix, seniors and their parents picked up yard signs from their school to celebrate their upcoming virtual graduation.

A teacher at Arcadia High School in Scottsdale went online to tell her students how much she appreciated them and brought along famous alum Alice Cooper. It was aired on ABC channel 15. Cooper’s message? “School’s out for summer — maybe a little early.” 

Many colleges to host virtual ceremonies 

A large number of colleges and universities are moving ahead with virtual commencements.

Grand Canyon University in Phoenix has been celebrating since virtually last week. Social media has been filling up with photos of students in their caps and gowns. Tim Griffin, pastor and dean of students, reminisced right along with them in a to graduates. 

Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, Yavapai College in Prescott and Arizona Western College in Yuma are among a long list of colleges planning virtual graduation ceremonies this month.  

Others, like Arizona Christian University in Glendale and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott will have commencement and homecoming in the fall or later.  

At Embry-Riddle, staff put on masks and gloves to put together commencement celebration packages for students to open this week. They contain the items they would have received at graduation. A custom label on the package instructs grads, “Do Not Open Until May 2” so its campuses worldwide can celebrate at the same time. For more information and more ideas, go to:

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