A woman listens carefully to her friend.

Mental health is just as important as physical health

Let’s stop, ask and listen to each other. CVS Health® is here to help.

A woman listens carefully to her friend.

Stop. Ask. Listen.

By remembering to “Stop. Ask. Listen.,” you have an authentic way to make mental well-being a priority every day:

  • Stop. Make time to check in with yourself and your mental wellness.

  • Ask. Reach out and start authentic conversations with loved ones.

  • Listen. Allow others to feel safe and take notice of ways they are asking for help.

Everyone faces challenges in life and these challenges exist on a spectrum. For some, it’s daily stress or mild anxiety; for others, it’s substance use disorders; and for those most in need of critical care, it's thoughts of suicide. All of these moments deserve our attention and our care.

As America's leading health solutions company, CVS Health® is making mental well-being services more accessible, less complicated, more convenient and more inviting.

After all, the COVID-19 pandemic — and the pressures and stresses that have come with it — make the need for mental health care more urgent. And COVID-19 has put a spotlight on the fact that, as a population, we all need to build skills for resiliency and prepare for the unexpected.

It’s time to check in with yourself and the ones you love. Stop. Ask. Listen.

We encourage you to download and share these useful guides:

Mental well-being services at CVS Health

Through Resources For Living, Aetna®, a CVS Health company, offers personalized mental well-being support wherever you are on your mental health journey. From building life skills to balancing the household budget to meeting a personal goal, Resources For Living serves as a confidant and advocate for members. There is nothing more personal than mental health and well-being, and through Resources For Living members can obtain a personalized path to resilience.

In times of great need such as the pandemic, Aetna makes select Resources For Living services available to anyone — whether or not they are a member — such as providing real-time phone support to help people cope with the emotional impact of traumatic events. Learn more about the Resources For Living program.

When patients visit MinuteClinic for their routine health care needs, our providers are able to screen for and diagnose depression, and when clinically appropriate, prescribe medication. Providers can also complete a physical exam and order lab work to assess the client for other potential causes of depression.

CVS Health offers patients access to licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) at MinuteClinic in select HealthHUB locations. These professional mental health care providers can conduct an assessment and offer personalized treatment plans and counseling that address feelings of stress, anxiety, grief, depression and more. Learn more about CVS mental health counseling.

Aetna has also created Here4U, a series of online peer support sessions focused on social connectedness. At times throughout the year, Here4U offers a safe space to talk and hear from others who are struggling, particularly with the challenges of COVID-19. Past sessions have provided young adults, women, moms, and others the opportunity to discuss their mental wellbeing.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, and the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34. Aetna has committed to a 20% reduction in suicide attempts among members by 2025 and has developed a range of tailored suicide prevention resources to support both members and non-members proactively.

Learn more about how we’re committed to reducing suicide attempts

Embracing the ongoing challenge of reducing substance use disorders, Aetna is working with facilities across the country to pair members with a certified Peer Support Specialist who themselves has overcome a substance use disorder and maintained long-term sobriety. The Specialist’s shared experience allows them to engage and connect with Aetna members, as well as their caregivers, to serve as an integral component of the treatment team. Aetna’s Guardian Angel Program also supports those who have had an opioid overdose and reduces the risk of future overdoses.

Additional resources

Learn more about our efforts and partnerships with national nonprofit organizations, providers and employers to improve mental health care nationwide:

If you are thinking about suicide, know someone who is, or need to talk with someone, we encourage you to immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). Or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. For additional mental well-being information, visit Psych Hub or Mental Health America.