CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) has been making significant strides in behavioral health, demonstrating a clear commitment to improving mental wellbeing across its diverse member base. Over the past several years, the company has launched numerous programs, partnerships, and innovations designed to make behavioral health care more accessible, proactive, and effective. These efforts are often referred to as CVS behavioral health initiatives because of their broad scope and measurable impact.
In 2022, CVS announced a strategic partnership with telehealth provider Amwell, introducing a virtual primary care platform that includes on-demand mental health support. This service is being rolled out in 2023 for fully insured Aetna members, self-insured plan sponsors, and CVS Caremark clients. This move is part of a larger trend within CVS, which has seen rapid growth in telehealth utilization, including 10 million virtual mental health visits in 2021 alone. Such expansions highlight the significance of CVS behavioral health initiatives in providing convenient, technology-driven care for members.
Prioritizing Prevention and Suicide Reduction
Prevention is a cornerstone of CVS’s strategy. The company has set an ambitious goal: reduce suicide attempts among Aetna members by 20% by 2025. Impressively, within one year, CVS achieved a 17.5% reduction among adults. Despite these successes, CVS recognizes that adolescent mental health continues to be a pressing concern, with suicide remaining the second leading cause of death for individuals aged 10 to 24. This has led to a renewed focus on adolescent behavioral health through specific CVS behavioral health initiatives designed to prevent suicide and support young people’s mental wellbeing.
Cara McNulty, president of behavioral health and mental wellbeing at CVS Health, emphasizes integrating mental and physical health. “Your head is connected to your heart, your heart is connected to your head,” she explains. CVS aims to provide care proactively, ensuring that members receive support before crises occur—a core principle underlying all CVS behavioral health initiatives.
Lessons from 2022: Making Mental Health Conversations Accessible
One lesson CVS learned in 2022 is that mental health conversations must be proactive, accessible, and normalized. Many populations, especially those historically marginalized, may feel hesitant or unsafe seeking help. CVS addresses this through outreach programs that encourage open dialogue, a focus mirrored in its CVS behavioral health initiatives.
For adolescents, CVS collaborates with Vita Health and Oui Therapeutics to develop suicide prevention programs. In adults, the company uses the Caring Contacts Program, which sends compassionate follow-ups to individuals after hospitalization for a suicide attempt. By extending similar interventions to adolescents, CVS demonstrates how its CVS behavioral health initiatives adapt proven adult strategies to younger populations.
Value-Based Care Shaping Behavioral Health
CVS is leveraging value-based care to improve access, quality, and outcomes in behavioral health. Data analytics identify care gaps, enabling targeted interventions and partnerships that address diverse needs. Licensed clinical social workers, coaches, and other providers play a vital role alongside psychiatrists and psychologists, ensuring that CVS behavioral health initiatives are inclusive, culturally competent, and patient-centered.
Digital Health as a Behavioral Health Game Changer
Digital health has become a major disruptor in behavioral health, and CVS is fully embracing it. Telemedicine now accounts for roughly 55% of CVS members’ behavioral health interactions, a massive increase from pre-pandemic levels. Chat-based therapy and virtual check-ins allow members to maintain contact with mental health professionals without leaving home. Convenience, flexibility, and accessibility are key components of CVS behavioral health initiatives, making virtual care an essential part of the company’s strategy.
Advancing Mental Health Parity
Mental health parity ensures that mental and physical health care are treated equally. CVS uses parity legislation as a foundation for its initiatives, improving access, quality, and community-wide outcomes. Parity serves as both a safety net and a tool for healthcare providers, further enhancing the reach of CVS behavioral health initiatives in local communities.
Strategic Partnerships Strengthen Behavioral Health
Partnerships play a critical role in CVS’s long-term strategy. Collaborations with organizations like Vita Health, Oui Therapeutics, and Big Health’s Sleepio platform fill gaps in care, enhance quality, and produce measurable results. Community-based programs, such as CVS Health Health Zones, further expand access to mental health resources. These partnerships are integral to the ongoing success of CVS behavioral health initiatives, ensuring support reaches those who need it most.
Prevention: Supporting Mental Health Every Day
Prevention is at the heart of CVS’s approach. Mental wellbeing requires attention similar to physical health, including sleep, nutrition, exercise, and healthy relationships. Early intervention, coaching, therapy, and access to digital tools are key strategies in CVS behavioral health initiatives, allowing individuals to maintain long-term mental wellness.
Looking Ahead: CVS’s Vision for Behavioral Health
CVS Health is positioning itself as a leader in behavioral health by combining prevention, digital innovation, value-based care, and strategic partnerships. With a particular focus on adolescents, continued investment in telehealth, and strong advocacy for mental health parity, CVS is shaping a future where mental health is prioritized, normalized, and accessible. The comprehensive scope of CVS behavioral health initiatives demonstrates the company’s commitment to holistic, proactive, and inclusive care for all members.
