For Immediate Release
Cheyenne, Wyoming
May 08, 2006

“Healthy Together” Health Management Program Working To Curb Wyoming’s Suicide Rate, The Highest In The Nation

Provider Education Conference and Nurse Support Focus on Screening and Appropriate Treatment

Hoping to make an impact on the state’s high suicide rate and treatment of mental illness in the primary care environment, APS Healthcare and the Wyoming Department of Health EqualityCare program (the Medicaid health insurance program) are hosting an educational videoconference on May 18 for Wyoming health care providers. “Depression Dilemmas in Primary Care” will focus on the appropriate use of antidepressants and other alternatives in treating depression and is available at numerous sites around the state.

As part of their Healthy Together Health Management Program, APS and EqualityCare will also distribute a provider-focused newsletter with recommended clinical guidelines for screening and the treatment of depression and patient screening tools for use in provider practices. 
According to the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH), Mental Health and Substance Abuse Division, mental health centers in Wyoming estimated over 21,000 individuals were treated for mental health issues in Wyoming from July 1, 2004-June 30, 2005. Of that, 30 percent were treated for depression. 

In 2005, Wyoming had the nation’s leading suicide rate, at nearly twice the national average, making suicide the tenth leading cause of all deaths in Wyoming and the second leading cause of death among people from the age 15-44, according to the WDH.

Healthy Together is hoping to make a significant impact on the rate of suicide by also helping EqualityCare clients and their families understand the signs and symptoms of depression and encouraging families to seek appropriate treatment. Healthy Together…A Healthy Perspective provides EqualityCare clients a nurse or social worker with whom they can talk to on a regular basis about their feelings and overall wellbeing. Healthy Together clinical professionals assess clients’ severity of depression and needs for resources, providing referrals to support groups and private counseling. In addition, they assess clients’ compliance with their medication and therapy treatment regime prescribed by their health care provider, as well as signs of medical illness that accompany their mental illness.

The Healthy Together clinical staff work closely with clients’ healthcare providers during the course of the program and contact them immediately if they notice signs that a client’s life may be in danger.

To sign up for the depression videoconference (for which providers can earn continuing education and continuing medical education units), please call APS Healthcare at 307-433-0970. For more information on the Healthy Together program, or to refer an EqualityCare client who would benefit from the program, please call 1-888-545-1710.

APS Healthcare, headquartered in Silver Spring, Md., is a leading provider of specialty healthcare solutions that cover more than 20 million members in the United States and Puerto Rico. APS offers customized, integrated healthcare solutions across three major healthcare product lines – health management services, behavioral health services and quality improvement programs. APS operates under the belief that managing healthcare for the mind and body improves overall health and reduces total healthcare spending.

APS is committed to “Helping People Lead Healthier Lives” through the implementation of customized programs that meet each customer’s unique needs.