Highmark reinforces commitment to mental health, highlights comprehensive support during Mental Health Awareness Month

PITTSBURGH, PA – May 4, 2026 – May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Highmark is encouraging members to take time to prioritize their mental health and wellbeing.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 1 in 5 adults are estimated to live with mental illness. Recognizing the critical importance of mental health as an integral part of overall health, Highmark is raising awareness of the resources and specialty providers available to ensure members have access to needed care.

"Highmark’s commitment to treating mental health as an equal pillar to physical health translates to easier access to vital support,” said Dr. Doug Henry, a psychologist and medical director for behavioral health at Highmark Health. "Highmark is enabling personalized mental health care through in-person, virtual and on-demand tools. Our goal is to empower members to navigate life's challenges, seek care when needed, and ultimately live healthier, more fulfilling lives.”

Highmark enables behavioral and mental health care through a high-quality network of providers and resources for members, such as:

Personalized, convenient and comprehensive mental health support

For more than 2.5 million Highmark members — including children as young as six — getting mental health support no longer means waiting months for an appointment or navigating a fragmented system alone. Mental Well-Being Powered by Spring Health connects each member to care that’s matched to their specific needs: from  digital wellness tools and coaching, to therapy available virtually or in-person, medication management, and 24/7 crisis support. Grounded in precision mental health – clinically validated technology identifies exactly what will work for each person to help members with anxiety or depression achieve remission faster.

With Mental Well-Being, Highmark members are securing appointments in less than three days on average, a stark contrast to national wait times. “This rapid access leads to remarkable results: members with moderate to severe anxiety or depression reach remission in fewer than seven sessions on average,” said Dr. Henry.

The improved health outcomes and experiences of Highmark members engaged in this program were recently highlighted in the peer-reviewed New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst paper, "A Payer Solution to Improve Access to Quality Behavioral Health Care."

Launched in January 2026, Mental Well-Being includes a dedicated Specialty Care Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Program. This program offers support for Highmark members looking to reduce or eliminate substance use, including alcohol, marijuana, opioids or other drugs.

Members can seek support in several ways: by asking for help themselves, through a referral from their doctor, or if they're identified as at-risk for a SUD during a clinical assessment. Specialized SUD care navigators provide proactive outreach and personalized guidance – connecting members to effective treatment options, including certified peer recovery coaches, therapy and SUD medication management while remaining a consistent partner throughout their recovery journey.

Eligible members can access Mental Well-Being through their My Highmark app or the Highmark.com website.

Specialized care for obsessive-compulsive disorder

Highmark members struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can access NOCD, the leading provider of specialized OCD treatment for adults and children. Members can use their insurance benefits to have live face-to-face virtual sessions with a NOCD therapist specialty-trained in OCD and get support between sessions through in-app tools, therapist messaging, and a supportive community.

Treatment and support for eating disorders

Recognizing eating disorders as the second deadliest mental health condition in the U.S., Highmark has added Equip to its provider network. Equip is a fully virtual treatment program with no waitlist, serving individuals of all ages nationwide across all primary eating disorder diagnoses and co-occurring conditions. Equip's dedicated multidisciplinary care team, including those with lived experience in recovery, delivers wraparound support through evidence-based care that adapts to each person's needs, helping members achieve lasting healing from home while coordinating closely with local providers.

Intensive outpatient treatments for kids, teens and adults

Charlie Health further extends Highmark's commitment to youth and adult mental health. Charlie Health offers virtual intensive outpatient programs (IOP) for ages 8–64, with specialized tracks for kids, teens, and adults. Each member receives a personalized blend of group, individual, and family therapy, along with psychiatric services as needed, providing a structured level of care for those who need more than weekly therapy but not inpatient treatment. Charlie Health provides practical, accessible virtual care for Highmark members with higher-acuity mental health needs.

Medication-free treatment for panic disorder, anxiety and PTSD

Highmark recently expanded medical coverage for Freespira to adolescents (ages 13-17), providing an FDA-cleared, medication-free at-home therapeutic. This device significantly reduces anxiety and stress symptoms, including panic attacks and PTSD, in just 28 days by addressing the physiological root causes through respiratory guidance, with 86% of adult users symptom-free post-treatment in a 2020 study.

Easy access and navigation to mental health resources

Through enhanced care navigation on the My Highmark app, members can easily find and schedule mental behavioral health providers and services or call the number on the back of their insurance card. 

Members can also access educational mental health resources on the My Highmark app and Highmark.com: https://www.highmark.com/resources/mental-health-services/mental-health-resources