Women's Guide to Mental Health

One in five women experienced a mental health condition last year.¹ You don’t have to go it alone. Discover strategies and support options designed to help you improve your overall well-being.

Take time to fit yourself into your schedule

Love yourself like you love your best friend

When your loved ones need you, you’re there. You drop everything and show up — physically and mentally — to offer support, any way you can. Now it’s time to do that for yourself. 

Your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan plan gives you convenient options, like a hotline you can call 24/7, online therapy sessions, no-cost webinars and more. It’s never been easier to make yourself a priority. You’d want it for them, so do it for you, too.  

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How to reduce the stigma around mental health

An important step in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health is to openly talk about it.

In this episode of A Healthier Michigan, Chuck Gaidica was joined by Susanna Rickman, Suicide Prevention Manager for Gryphon Place in Kalamazoo. Together, they discussed how stigma prevents some people from talking about mental health, as well as ways to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and have open conversations.

Listen to the podcast or read the recap.

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How does the menstrual cycle affect mental health?

During the menstrual cycle, hormonal shifts can contribute to mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Similar symptoms can develop during the postpartum period, perimenopause and menopause as well.

Every woman experiences premenstrual  and menstrual symptoms differently, and these can change over the course of her life. But there are ways to manage these symptoms and their effect on mental health, from lifestyle choices to medication.

Primary care physician

Your partner in seeking treatment

If you're looking for an easy way to connect with a mental health professional, make an appointment with your PCP for a list of references. They may have other behavioral or mental health options for you to try as well.

Don’t have a PCP? You can log in to your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan member account to find one.

Log in now

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Managing stress for women

Women and men manage stress differently for different reasons.

Women are more likely than men to report family responsibilities and relationships as causes of stress and said they would like more emotional support. Stress also lingers longer with women, as they report less often than men that they can get over stress quickly.

Learn tips to manage stress and how to find help if you need it.

Knowledge is power

Learn more about behavioral health, including common conditions and definitions.
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  1. Mental Health by the Numbers, National Alliance on Mental Illness

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and National Domestic Violence Hotline are independent companies, not affiliated with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

The information contained on this webpage is for educational purposes only. Nothing on this webpage is intended to be, nor should be used as or relied upon as, professional medical advice. Nothing contained on this webpage is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. For medical advice, or to receive medical diagnosis or treatment, consult with your health care provider.

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