LOUISVILLE, Ky. and TAMPA, Fla., March 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The majority of suicides in the United States are among working-aged adults. Recognizing that suicide is a preventable public health issue, WellCare of Kentucky, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE:WCG), announced today that it has invested in an initiative with the Owensboro Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition to increase suicide prevention efforts in the workplace.
WellCare's HealthConnections Council, which supports the social safety net through collaboration with local social service agencies and community leaders, is focusing on suicide prevention for working-aged adults because there is a significant lack of resources and training available for those in supervisory roles to help at-risk workers.
"The workplace provides a unique opportunity to share essential health information and intervention," said Jarrod Roberts, a WellCare community advocate and Coalition board member. "Training to help people identify warning signs is often not readily available. The involvement of supervisors and coworkers is critical to the success of suicide prevention."
With a $5,000 investment from WellCare, the Coalition has developed workplace-specific materials and created a database of behavioral health providers. In addition, Coalition associates were trained by the QPR Institute, which provides information and skills needed to recognize the warning signs of suicide and to effectively intervene.
"Advocacy can elevate community-based initiatives into effective public health policies," said Pamme Lyons-Taylor, vice president of advocacy and community based programs for WellCare. "The partnership between WellCare and the Coalition is an example of impacting positive change through meaningful collaboration."
"The partnership with WellCare's HealthConnections Council will strengthen our mission to reduce the tragedy of suicide in our community. For that, the Coalition, and ultimately our community, is extremely grateful," said Mike Flaherty, president of the Owensboro Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition.
In April, the Owensboro Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition will hold its annual conference on workplace prevention. To learn more about Owensboro Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition, visit http://www.orspc.org.
As of Dec. 31, 2015, WellCare serves approximately 440,000 Medicaid members, 8,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 22,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Kentucky. To learn more about how we care for Kentuckians, watch Brandi's story at http://youtu.be/YwOw5EgeSYo.
About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. WellCare serves approximately 3.8 million members nationwide as of Dec. 31, 2015. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.
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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
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