We are dedicated to working in partnership with community stakeholders and providers to implement an accountable, outcomes-driven, recovery-centered system focused on improving member care. We also know that many factors impact the health of Idahoans and their communities beyond clinical health care services, such as physical, economic and social situations. Factors such as these create barriers to care, sometimes called “social determinants of health,” and Optum is committed to improving individual and community health by focusing on financially supporting “direct-to-need” projects that reduce these health disparities in Idaho.
Financial support of such projects is determined on a case-by-case basis, following a process of evaluating requests to Optum from non-government organizations to address community health needs in Idaho. Preference is given to statewide programs. Depending on the scope of the financial support requested, Optum may ask submitters to meet with our community and stakeholder engagement team to present how the proposed project or efforts support our goal of removing or reducing socio-economic barriers to mental health care and how success will be measured.
To learn more about Optum’s process for evaluating financial support requests addressing social determinants of health, contact the Community Matters team at Idaho.communications@optum.com
Read more on the Optum Idaho updates in the Spring 2023 Community Matters newsletter here.
The Summer 2023 Optum Idaho Community Matters newsletter is now available here.
Sign up now for free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a skills-based training course that teaches participants to identify, understand and respond to mental health and substance use challenges. Certified MHFA instructors are trained through the National Council for Well Being. Optum Idaho pays for all class registration, training materials and trainers for any adult Idahoan who wants to be certified in knowing how to professionally support an individual experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder crisis in their community.
Watch a short video about Optum Idaho's free MHFA training classes here and register for an upcoming class here
With Adult or Youth MHFA training, you will be equipped to offer assistance to a person who may be developing mental health or substance use challenges or experiencing a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves.
Who benefits from learning MHFA?
· Parents
· Teachers
· Fire/EMS
· Public safety personnel
· Veterans
· Older adults
· Higher education
To learn more, read the Mental Health First Aid flyer in English or Spanish. Still have questions? Email optummhfa@sparkstrats.com
