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HomeMemberHelpful ToolsHealth ResourcesSocial Determinants of HealthGiving Back

Giving Back to Our Communities

Fidelis Care and the Centene Foundation Award $1.1 Million to The Jed Foundation to Protect the Mental Health of New York’s Youth

Funding will help expand emotional well-being resources, educational workshops, and training programs for community-based organizations that foster communities of care statewide

September 20, 2024, NEW YORK CITY —  Fidelis Care, a leading health insurer providing quality, affordable coverage to New Yorkers, and the Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation, announced today a $1.1 million grant to The Jed Foundation (JED), a national nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults.

With this grant, JED will expand its current services, providing at least five youth-serving community-based organizations (CBOs) with consultation or strategic planning services, including expert guidance, educational workshops, and training programs, equipping young people with life skills and connecting them to mental health care when they are in distress.

“We are thrilled to support the vital work of The Jed Foundation with this grant,” said Vincent Marchello, Chief Medical Officer at Fidelis Care. “At Fidelis Care, we recognize the importance of mental health services in creating healthier communities. This investment underscores our commitment to ensuring youth and adolescents have access to the critical support they need to thrive.”

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), it is currently estimated that nearly one in five 12- to 17-year-olds in the United States experience a major depressive episode every year, and almost half of teens 13 to 17 say they would seek out professional help only as a last resort. In New York State, the need for enhanced mental health support for school-aged youth is critical: in 2021, 57% of New York 12- to 17-year-olds with depression had not received any care in the last year.

“JED is grateful to Fidelis Care and the Centene Foundation for their commitment to supporting the emotional well-being of New York youth and for providing the resources to help them thrive,” said John MacPhee, JED Chief Executive Officer. “This partnership will allow us to bring JED’s lifesaving work to community-based organizations across the state and help them build on their mental health safety nets and approaches, while positively impacting the lives of thousands of young people.”

The inaugural group of CBOs includes Bottom Line, an organization that partners with degree-aspiring students from first-generation and low-income backgrounds as they get into and through college and launch mobilizing first careers; Hetrick-Martin Institute, which provides free, year-round programs and services for LGBTQIA+ youth and allies aged 13 to 24 in New York City; and Prep for Prep, which provides first-rate educational, leadership development and professional advancement opportunities for young people of color in New York City.

"Through decades of experience at Bottom Line, we have seen that the condition of a student's mental health plays a significant role in their overall journey to becoming a college graduate and professional,” said Sheneita R. Graham, Director of Culturally Responsive Programming at Bottom Line. “Our role at Bottom Line is to build strong relationships that assist us in determining need and connecting students to resources that will help them thrive personally to persist academically. Partnering with The Jed Foundation grants us the opportunity to expertly assess our mental health policies, processes, and resources to ensure we provide our students with thoughtful, high-quality support."

"Hetrick-Martin Institute is pleased to be working with The Jed Foundation to improve our ability to recognize young people in distress and conduct suicide risk assessments," said Bridget Hughes, Chief Program Officer at Hetrick-Martin Institute.

"We are so grateful to The Jed Foundation for hosting two workshops for our incoming college freshmen as part of our annual College Transition Retreat,” said Corey Rhoades, Director of Undergraduate Affairs at Prep for Prep. “The presenters shared their expertise and tailored the sessions in a way that was uniquely relevant and engaging for our students."

To learn more about ways to provide community-based organizations with consulting, evidence-based best practices, and data-driven guidance to protect youth mental health and prevent suicide, visit JED’s website.

Fidelis-JED-Social

Screener Program Provides Support to Families Impacted by Social Determinants of Health

SDoH-chart

Fidelis Care’s innovative SDoH screener program was launched two years ago as a grassroots health equity initiative to address conditions in the environments where people are born, live, work, and play that affect their health, well-being, and quality of life. Social Determinants of Health can affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes – particularly among vulnerable populations and in underserved areas.

The screener enables trained Fidelis Care representatives to assess an individual’s immediate needs and challenges related to SDoH through a brief series of questions covering areas such as access to transportation, food, and secure and safe housing. More than 450,000 Fidelis Care members have participated to date.


Click here to learn more about the different Social Determinants of Health and find available resources.

More News:


Eating Disorders Awareness Week
2/26/2024 • Posted by Dr. Nicole Belanger-Reynolds, Fidelis Care Medical Director in Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Women's Health

This year, Eating Disorders Awareness Week takes place from February 26 to March 3. This week raises awareness and promotes understanding about eating disorders. It is a good time to offer help and provide resources for support.

Eating disorders are mental health problems that cause dangerous behaviors involving weight and food. These eating behaviors can cause serious health problems and sometimes result in death. Eating disorders can happen to anyone, but are much more common in women. Common eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.

  • Women with eating disorders outnumber men by about 6-10 to 1.
  • 9% of New Yorkers will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.
  • In the United States, there are 10,200 deaths per year as a direct result of an eating disorder. This means 1 death every 52 minutes.

Anorexia Nervosa

Individuals with anorexia nervosa have an intense fear of gaining weight. This can lead to eating too little food and exercising too much. It is a serious health problem that can increase the risk of early death. Individuals with anorexia often have a false body image, and they want to be thin despite already being underweight. A person with anorexia nervosa often looks very thin and may not act like themselves.

Behaviors may include:

  • Talking about weight or food all the time
  • Cutting food into small pieces or moving them around the plate instead of eating
  • Exercising all the time, even if hurt
  • Refusing to eat in front of others
  • Taking laxatives or diet pills

Health Risks

With anorexia nervosa, the body doesn’t get the energy that it needs from food, so it slows down and stops working normally.

Over time, anorexia nervosa can lead to:

  • Heart problems
  • Anemia
  • Thinning of the bones
  • Kidney stones or kidney failure
  • Lack of periods
  • For pregnant individuals: a higher risk for miscarriage, cesarean delivery, or having a baby with low birth weight

Signs and Symptoms

  • Dry, blotchy, or yellow skin covered with fine hair
  • Confusion, slow thinking, and/or poor memory
  • Thin, brittle hair and/or nails
  • Very sensitive to cold (wearing several layers of clothing to stay warm)
  • Loss of bone strength, muscle, and body fat
  • Feeling tired or slow
  • Sadness

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by repeatedly eating very large amounts of food (binge eating) followed by purging behaviors including:

  • Forced vomiting
  • Using laxatives, enemas, or diuretics (water pills)
  • Exercising too much

The disorder is most common in adolescent girls and young women. Individuals with bulimia nervosa may be thin, overweight, or have a normal weight. They are usually aware that their eating pattern is abnormal and may feel afraid or guilty when they binge and purge.

Health Risks

Over time, bulimia can have negative impacts on the body.

  • Tooth decay (due to stomach acid when vomiting)
  • Stomach damage from overeating
  • Ulcers and other damage to the throat from vomiting
  • Severe dehydration
  • Electrolyte imbalance (certain levels in the blood get too high or too low, which can lead to heart attack or heart failure)
  • Irregular periods or not having periods, which can cause problems getting pregnant
  • Problems having bowel movements or damage to the intestines from laxative abuse

Signs and Symptoms

  • Irritated and sore throat
  • Very sensitive teeth
  • Acid reflux, constipation, and other gastrointestinal problems
  • Suddenly eating large amounts of food or buying large amounts of food that disappear right away
  • Often going to the bathroom right after meals
  • Throwing away packages of laxatives, diet pills, diuretics, or emetics (drugs that cause vomiting)

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder is the most common type of eating disorder in the United States. People with binge eating disorder often feel out of control and eat a large amount of food in a short period of time (called a binge). Unlike other eating disorders, people who have binge eating disorder do not vomit or exercise too much. People with binge eating disorder are often overweight or obese.

Health Risks

Binge eating disorder can cause obesity. Obesity raises your risk for many serious health problems including:

  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Problems with your menstrual cycle (which may make it harder to get pregnant)
  • Certain types of cancer

Signs and Symptoms

  • Eating faster than normal
  • Eating past the point of feeling full
  • Eating large amounts of food when not hungry, often alone
  • Feeling unable to control eating
  • Snacking, in addition to eating three meals a day
  • Overeating throughout the day
  • Feeling embarrassed or depressed about eating behaviors

Get Help for Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can be deadly due to various medical complications and the high risk of suicide. See your healthcare provider if you have concerns about an eating disorder.

Recovery from an eating disorder is an ongoing process. It is possible with professional treatment and support. Continued therapy, nutritional monitoring, and access to support networks is needed to prevent and treat relapses. The support of family and friends is also important during the recovery journey.

Acute eating disorder treatment can occur in various settings, depending on the severity of the individual's condition:

  • Inpatient hospital units
  • Residential treatment centers (individuals live temporarily at a medical facility)
  • Partial hospitalization programs (also called day programs)
  • Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)

Where do I get help?

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has funded partnerships in three areas of the state as Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating Disorders (CCCED):

Western New York - University of Rochester, School of Nursing and Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong Memorial Hospital

  • Eating Disorders Recovery Center of Western New York - The Place for Hope, Help, and Healing or
  • Call the Toll Free Hotline: 1-800-700-4673

Northeastern New York - Albany Medical Center and Four Winds Hospital of Saratoga

  • Northeast Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders (NECCCED) or
  • Call 24 Hour Toll Free Hotline: 1-888-747-4727

Metropolitan New York - New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York Psychiatric Center and Schneider Children's Hospital of Long Island Jewish Medical Center

  • The Metropolitan Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders (Metro NYCCCED) or
  • Call 24 Hour Toll Free Hotline: 1-877-669-2332

Sources:

https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/eating-disorders

https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/eating-disorders

https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/chronic/eating_disorders/

https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/resources/eating_disorders.html

https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/chronic/eating_disorders/comprehensive_care_centers.htm

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/striped/wp-content/uploads/sites/1267/2021/01/State-Report_New-York.pdf


Eating Disorders Awareness Week
2/26/2024 • Posted by Dr. Nicole Belanger-Reynolds, Fidelis Care Medical Director in Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Women's Health

This year, Eating Disorders Awareness Week takes place from February 26 to March 3. This week raises awareness and promotes understanding about eating disorders. It is a good time to offer help and provide resources for support.

Eating disorders are mental health problems that cause dangerous behaviors involving weight and food. These eating behaviors can cause serious health problems and sometimes result in death. Eating disorders can happen to anyone, but are much more common in women. Common eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.

  • Women with eating disorders outnumber men by about 6-10 to 1.
  • 9% of New Yorkers will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.
  • In the United States, there are 10,200 deaths per year as a direct result of an eating disorder. This means 1 death every 52 minutes.

Anorexia Nervosa

Individuals with anorexia nervosa have an intense fear of gaining weight. This can lead to eating too little food and exercising too much. It is a serious health problem that can increase the risk of early death. Individuals with anorexia often have a false body image, and they want to be thin despite already being underweight. A person with anorexia nervosa often looks very thin and may not act like themselves.

Behaviors may include:

  • Talking about weight or food all the time
  • Cutting food into small pieces or moving them around the plate instead of eating
  • Exercising all the time, even if hurt
  • Refusing to eat in front of others
  • Taking laxatives or diet pills

Health Risks

With anorexia nervosa, the body doesn’t get the energy that it needs from food, so it slows down and stops working normally.

Over time, anorexia nervosa can lead to:

  • Heart problems
  • Anemia
  • Thinning of the bones
  • Kidney stones or kidney failure
  • Lack of periods
  • For pregnant individuals: a higher risk for miscarriage, cesarean delivery, or having a baby with low birth weight

Signs and Symptoms

  • Dry, blotchy, or yellow skin covered with fine hair
  • Confusion, slow thinking, and/or poor memory
  • Thin, brittle hair and/or nails
  • Very sensitive to cold (wearing several layers of clothing to stay warm)
  • Loss of bone strength, muscle, and body fat
  • Feeling tired or slow
  • Sadness

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by repeatedly eating very large amounts of food (binge eating) followed by purging behaviors including:

  • Forced vomiting
  • Using laxatives, enemas, or diuretics (water pills)
  • Exercising too much

The disorder is most common in adolescent girls and young women. Individuals with bulimia nervosa may be thin, overweight, or have a normal weight. They are usually aware that their eating pattern is abnormal and may feel afraid or guilty when they binge and purge.

Health Risks

Over time, bulimia can have negative impacts on the body.

  • Tooth decay (due to stomach acid when vomiting)
  • Stomach damage from overeating
  • Ulcers and other damage to the throat from vomiting
  • Severe dehydration
  • Electrolyte imbalance (certain levels in the blood get too high or too low, which can lead to heart attack or heart failure)
  • Irregular periods or not having periods, which can cause problems getting pregnant
  • Problems having bowel movements or damage to the intestines from laxative abuse

Signs and Symptoms

  • Irritated and sore throat
  • Very sensitive teeth
  • Acid reflux, constipation, and other gastrointestinal problems
  • Suddenly eating large amounts of food or buying large amounts of food that disappear right away
  • Often going to the bathroom right after meals
  • Throwing away packages of laxatives, diet pills, diuretics, or emetics (drugs that cause vomiting)

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder is the most common type of eating disorder in the United States. People with binge eating disorder often feel out of control and eat a large amount of food in a short period of time (called a binge). Unlike other eating disorders, people who have binge eating disorder do not vomit or exercise too much. People with binge eating disorder are often overweight or obese.

Health Risks

Binge eating disorder can cause obesity. Obesity raises your risk for many serious health problems including:

  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Problems with your menstrual cycle (which may make it harder to get pregnant)
  • Certain types of cancer

Signs and Symptoms

  • Eating faster than normal
  • Eating past the point of feeling full
  • Eating large amounts of food when not hungry, often alone
  • Feeling unable to control eating
  • Snacking, in addition to eating three meals a day
  • Overeating throughout the day
  • Feeling embarrassed or depressed about eating behaviors

Get Help for Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can be deadly due to various medical complications and the high risk of suicide. See your healthcare provider if you have concerns about an eating disorder.

Recovery from an eating disorder is an ongoing process. It is possible with professional treatment and support. Continued therapy, nutritional monitoring, and access to support networks is needed to prevent and treat relapses. The support of family and friends is also important during the recovery journey.

Acute eating disorder treatment can occur in various settings, depending on the severity of the individual's condition:

  • Inpatient hospital units
  • Residential treatment centers (individuals live temporarily at a medical facility)
  • Partial hospitalization programs (also called day programs)
  • Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)

Where do I get help?

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has funded partnerships in three areas of the state as Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating Disorders (CCCED):

Western New York - University of Rochester, School of Nursing and Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong Memorial Hospital

  • Eating Disorders Recovery Center of Western New York - The Place for Hope, Help, and Healing or
  • Call the Toll Free Hotline: 1-800-700-4673

Northeastern New York - Albany Medical Center and Four Winds Hospital of Saratoga

  • Northeast Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders (NECCCED) or
  • Call 24 Hour Toll Free Hotline: 1-888-747-4727

Metropolitan New York - New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York Psychiatric Center and Schneider Children's Hospital of Long Island Jewish Medical Center

  • The Metropolitan Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders (Metro NYCCCED) or
  • Call 24 Hour Toll Free Hotline: 1-877-669-2332

Sources:

https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/eating-disorders

https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/eating-disorders

https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/chronic/eating_disorders/

https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/resources/eating_disorders.html

https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/chronic/eating_disorders/comprehensive_care_centers.htm

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/striped/wp-content/uploads/sites/1267/2021/01/State-Report_New-York.pdf