The National Alliance on Mental Health says that 20% of American adults suffer from some form of mental illness and only 43% of them receive treatment. It also reports that the average delay between onset of symptoms and treatment is an astounding 11 years. Families and friends often want to help but don’t know how to go about it. In conjunction with Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct 6 – 12), the team at Brand New Day, a Medicare Advantage prescription health plan with a program designed for the mentally ill and available in 12 California counties, are offering friends and family practical advice.
“During this week of observation, we hope to raise awareness of mental health issues, reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and promote treatment options so that friends and families have some guidance,” said Robert Myers, Ph.D., a psychologist with Brand New Day. “Loved ones so often want to help but simply don’t know how.”

The team at Brand New Day offer the five following tips:

· START THE CONVERSATION – Don’t be afraid to start a dialogue. You don’t need to be an expert to express your concern and willingness to listen. Be patient, avoid being judgmental and try not to challenge their feelings.
· EDUCATE YOURSELF -- The more you understand about mental illness and possible treatments, the better equipped you will be to give them options for care.
· MAKE THINGS SIMPLE – Research caregivers, therapists, treatment options, insurance coverage, etc. to ease the burden and eliminate barriers for them as they seek help. Those with mental illness oftentimes find it daunting to face even relatively simple maters like transportation, childcare, dealing with their employer, etc. so outside help from a loved one can make a big difference.
· TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF – Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Recognize and acknowledge the limits of what you can give and don’t feel guilty that you should be doing more.
· JOIN A SUPPORT GROUP – Sharing your experiences with others in like circumstances can greatly reduce your stress level and sometimes uncover valuable resources to help your loved one. Check with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or your local community’s department of social services for references.

Should you or a family member believe you are at risk of mental illness, visit BNDHMO.com or call (866) 255-4795 for more information and to explore next steps.
Brand New Day’s Harmony Plan addresses members with a wide range of conditions including major depression, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder and paranoid disorder. In addition, Brand New Day offers the Embrace Plan for those with heart disease, hypertension and/or diabetes, and Bridges for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. Members with chronic illnesses are not only treated medically, but in a variety of other ways including:

· Education about the member’s chronic or ongoing medical conditions and avoidable risks
· Nutrition
· Exercise
· Self-testing and monitoring
· Medication adherence to doctor orders
· Preventive care planning
· Linkage to community support programs

For qualifying members, it covers transportation to and from medical appointments; vision, dental and acupuncture services; 24-hour/day nurse and physician line; and health and life coaches.
Brand New Day is the Medicare product name of Universal Care, Inc., a privately held California Knox-Keene Healthcare Service Plan licensed by the California Department of Managed Health Care and contracted with the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services as a Medicare Advantage contractor. Universal Care, Inc. is owned and operated by an experienced group of managed care executives and physicians. Universal Care, Inc. was founded in 1983. For more information, visit BNDHMO.com