Collaboration also includes volunteer support through the IBX Blue Crew
Independence Blue Cross (IBX) is working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia to address the growing youth mental health crisis as part of a national Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) initiative.
Nationally, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is investing more than $10 million over four years to help Boys & Girls Clubs of America implement trauma-informed practices in its more than 5,000 Clubs by 2026, training over 48,000 staff to better support the emotional and mental well-being of more 3.6 million children served by Clubs.
Locally, Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia team members are receiving access to training and resources to help them in their day-to-day work and programming, ensuring that the children they are serving feel safe, supported and able to manage through adversity.
While the COVID-19 pandemic advanced the mental health crisis, trauma, isolation and other societal factors are increasingly impacting youth mental health at staggering rates. BCBSA research finds that diagnosed rates of anxiety among those 13 to 18 years of age have steadily risen between 2017 and 2021 and rates of ADHD and depression have grown roughly 50% to 60% during the same period.
“At Independence Blue Cross, we believe in the importance of equitable, whole-person health. Our partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia focuses on youth mental health and well-being and is helping to create a foundation for a healthier, more resilient future for our youth,” said Courtney McDade, director of Public Affairs Programs for Independence Blue Cross.
To strengthen this partnership, IBX also engages with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia through the Blue Crew, the company’s corporate volunteer program. These in-person volunteer opportunities, such as a recent Field Day event in Germantown, promote well-being for the youth served by Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia while offering meaningful engagement opportunities for IBX employees.
“We are grateful for our work with Independence Blue Cross. Our collaboration is more than just a program. It’s a comprehensive effort to build a healthier, more resilient generation of young Philadelphians,” said Libby Lescalleet, executive vice president of Programs, Partnerships, and Development at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia.
Operating in 22 locations throughout the city, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia helps more than 10,000 young people, including those who may need it most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Media contact:
Ruth Stoolman
215-667-9537
Ruth.Stoolman@ibx.com
