BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IS VITALLY IMPORTANT. THE MORE WE TALK ABOUT IT AND INCREASE AWARENESS, THE HEALTHIER WE CAN BE.

Nearly one in five Americans struggle with their behavioral health—that’s over 47 million people. And all too often, conditions like depression, anxiety and substance use go untreated. It can be hard to ask for help or know how to help someone who may be struggling. It’s time to eliminate the negativity around the subject of Behavioral Health – remove the stigma – and instead, bring awareness and normalize this important conversation. Blue KC and the Royals are proud to partner and #shutoutthestigma.

Our behavioral health impacts our ability to function in everyday life, as well as our concept of self. Through Shut Out the Stigma, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and the Kansas City Royals want you to know that it’s okay to reach out for help and share your behavioral health concerns. These issues can affect anyone, so we want to raise awareness that there are resources available to help those in our communities who need them.

Helping to Shut Out the Stigma

Blue KC is distributing donations to Behavioral Health organization that focuses on mental health through sports that mainly serve teens and adolescents.

We’ve teamed up with the Royals who will play 162 games in 2022 which equates to 1458 total innings (162 games x 9 innings). Each inning that The Royals pitch a shutout, a donation will be added to the overall monthly distribution amount. Each month a new organization will be selected to receive the distribution.

The total amount donated to six behavioral health organizations in 2022 is:

$29,580

September/October Recipient: First Call ($5,760)

August Recipient: KVC Niles ($5,100)

July Recipient: ReDiscover ($5,250)

June Recipient: Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City ($4,650)

May Recipient: Mattie Rhodes Center ($5,040)

April Recipient: ShareWaves Foundation ($3,780)

An Inspiring Story of Someone Who's Been There and Back

Ryan Lefebvre has been calling play-by-play for Kansas City Royals baseball games since 1999. The son of former big-league player and manager Jim Lefebvre, Ryan went public with his struggle with depressive illness in 2006. His book, The Shame of Me: One Man’s Journey to Depression and Back, chronicles his experiences and offers hope to those who are reluctant to seek help. We’re proud to be partnering with Ryan to encourage others to share their own journeys.

IMPORTANT CRISIS TEXT, PHONE NUMBER AND WEBSITES

SEEK HELP IN A TIME OF CRISIS WITH ONE PHONE CALL, TEXT OR CLICK

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free, 24/7, confidential support for people in any type of crisis. For help, text or call 988. This is a new, easy-to-remember number that was rolled out in July 2022! Two websites that offer resources and help are MindfulBlueKC.com and SuicidePreventionLifeline.org

In case of a medical emergency, always call 911.

THE FACTS ABOUT MAJOR DEPRESSION

Depression is more common than you might think—and it’s being diagnosed much more frequently than just a few years ago. Check the numbers^*...

Depression statistics, continues to be on the rise.

PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH DEPRESSION ARE...

2X

MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER FROM ONE OR MORE CHRONIC CONDITIONS

3X

MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER FROM A PAIN-RELATED DISORDER

7X

MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER FROM ALCOHOL OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER

Watch more Shut Out the Stigma Episodes

Episode 1 - Career and Life Adversity

Brad Keller, Kansas City Royals pitcher, discusses ways to stay focused and how he developed a plan to deal with adversity in his personal and professional life.

Episode 2 - Stigma of Behavioral Health

John Buck, former Kansas City Royals catcher, explores the stigma of behavioral health in our society and shares his personal struggles.

Episode 3 - Making Behavioral Health a Priority

Dr. Nawalanic, psychologist at the University of Kansas Health System, talks about the clinical side of behavioral health and making it a priority in your life.

Episode 4 - Learning from Failure

Ryan Maid, Kansas City Royals Director of Behavioral Science, discusses how to cope with failure and using setbacks as an opportunity to learn and improve.

Episode 5 - Royals Organizational Support of Behavioral Health

Dayton Moore, Royals President of Baseball Operations, explains the support and focus from an organizational standpoint of providing behavioral health resources to players and all staff

KNOW THE FACTS: SUICIDE MYTHS VS. REALITY

By being more aware of the facts, you may be able to help save the life of someone close to you. Take a couple minutes to test your knowledge about this preventable tragedy that happens every 12 minutes in the U.S.

Choose if the following statement is true or false:

Talking openly about suicide is dangerous. It often plants the idea in a person’s head.

Suicide usually occurs out of the blue – without any warning.

Self-poisoning is the most common method of suicide.

Suicide runs in families. It’s a hereditary condition that can’t be prevented.

If a suicidal person feels better that means that the problem has passed.

Females die by suicide more frequently than males.

Young men are at the highest risk of killing themselves.

Once someone is suicidal, he or she will always remain suicidal.

Thanks for taking a few moments to learn about the myths and realities of suicide. Your awareness can help save a life.

Seek help in a time of crisis with a phone call or text.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
The Crisis Text line Text HOME to 741741
In case of a medical emergency, always call 911

FALSE: Discussing suicide openly is one of the most helpful things you can do. It shows you are taking the person seriously and that you care.

FALSE: 80% of people who die by suicide give some warning. That’s why it’s so important to recognize the warning signs.

FALSE: Firearms are the most commonly used method of completing suicide, accounting for more than 50% of all suicides.

FALSE: Suicide is not hereditary. It’s important to note, though, that survivors of suicide loss are at greater risk of dying by suicide themselves.

FALSE: If someone who has been depressed or suicidal suddenly seems happier, don't assume that the danger has passed. Making a decision to end one’s life often improves the person’s mental attitude and increases his/her energy to carry out the suicide plan.

FALSE: Three times as many males die by suicide while four times as many females attempt suicide.

FALSE: Males between the ages of 18 and 24 are in the group with the highest growth rate of suicide, but older men are actually at the highest risk of killing themselves.

FALSE: Heightened suicide risk is often short-term and situation-specific. While suicidal thoughts may return, they aren’t permanent and a person with previously suicidal thoughts can go on to live a long life.

Source: suicidepreventionlifeline.org

^*Major Depression: The Impact on Overall Health. BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD, THE HEALTH OF AMERICA REPORT®. May 2018. www.BCBS.com/the-health-of-america/

News Articles

Behavioral health impacts our ability to function in everyday life and our concept of self. Depression, anxiety, substance use and other behavioral health issues can affect how we manage our physical health and daily living challenges.

The more aware we are, the healthier we can be.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and Royals Announce Second Season of Shut Out the Stigma for Behavioral Health

KANSAS CITY, MO (May 3, 2022) – For the 2022 season, a shutout performance on the mound by a Kansas City Royals pitcher in a single inning not only helps the Royals earn a victory, but also clinches a win for behavioral health in the Kansas City community.

Addressing the Stigma around Behavioral Health to Help Kids and Teens

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) partnered with Emmy award-winning sports broadcaster Joel Goldberg to bring awareness to the behavioral health challenges affecting our community on his podcast, Rounding the Bases.

Behavioral Health Resources for Frontline Workers and Veterans

What is Stigma?

Our behavioral health is a crucial part of our overall health and these resources are shared to begin a conversation and improve our communities by making it more acceptable for those suffering to seek help and learn how to address their behavioral health needs.

Six Signs to Identify a Behavioral Health Condition

Behavioral health conditions are increasing with each generation and are prevalent at home, in the workplace, at schools and within the community. While these conditions share similar signs and symptoms it can be very difficult to identify them.

Managing Your Behavioral Health During A Crisis

A crisis, no matter the magnitude, can make an impact on a person’s behavioral health. Although crisis states often can’t be predicted, learning some new skills can help.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IS VITALLY IMPORTANT. THE MORE WE TALK ABOUT IT AND INCREASE AWARENESS, THE HEALTHIER WE CAN BE.

Helping to Shut Out the Stigma

An Inspiring Story of Someone Who's Been There and Back

IMPORTANT CRISIS TEXT, PHONE NUMBER AND WEBSITES