Depression

Everyone feels sad or down from time to time.

Depression is more than sadness. It is a mood disorder that can cause problems in your day-to-day life, low energy, tearfulness, sleeping problems, changes in your appetite, and sometimes thoughts of suicide. Many people experience depression, and there is help available. People with depression can feel better and live full, active lives.
behavorial-health-about depression
This interactive quiz can screen for possible depression symptoms.

Source: Johnson JG, Harris ES, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW: The Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents: Validation of an instrument for the assessment of mental disorders among adolescent primary care patients. J Adolescent Health 30:196–204, 2002.

If you are feeling depressed, we still recommend a complete assessment by a behavioral health professional. Health Choice can connect you with a behavioral health professional for a complete assessment and treatment recommendations. Please call us at 1-800-322-8670.

Here are some warning signs:

  • Hopelessness; feeling like there’s no way out
  • Anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness, mood swings
  • Feeling like there is no reason to live
  • Rage or anger
  • Engaging in risky activities without thinking
  • Increasing alcohol or drug use
  • Withdrawing from family and friends

If you are having an emotional crisis or know someone who is at risk of physical harm, hurting themselves or someone else, call the Behavioral Health Crisis Line immediately at 1-844-564-HOPE (4673) or text 4HOPE (44673). You can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) offers 24/7 call, text, and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance-related, and/or mental health crises, or any other emotional distress.

Once you are connected to any of the hotlines via phone, text, or chat, a crisis counselor listens to you, works to understand how your problem is affecting you, provides support, and shares resources that may be helpful. Crisis lines are confidential and are available to anyone at no cost, regardless of insurance.

Call 911 if:

  • You are concerned about harming or hurting yourself or someone else
  • Thinking about killing yourself, or looking for ways to take your life
  • You or someone else has overdosed
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© BCBSAZ Health Choice Pathway

BCBSAZ Health Choice Pathway (HMO D-SNP) is a Health Plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in BCBSAZ Health Choice Pathway (HMO D-SNP) depends on contract renewal. BCBSAZ Health Choice Pathway is a subsidiary of Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona.

Member Services can be reached at 1-800-656-8991, TTY 711, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week. Member Services also has free language interpreter services available for non-English speakers.

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system.

H5587_D40881PY25_M Last Updated: 10/1/24