How it started.
A student member studying abroad in Argentina was living far from home when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Classes were disrupted, travel shut down and normal support systems disappeared almost overnight. As the student’s mental health declined, it became clear that immediate help was needed to keep the member safe.
At the same time, the pandemic limited nearly every path forward. Hospitals were overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, and mental health facilities were not accepting new cases. Flights in and out of Argentina were grounded, making it impossible for the student to return home. With a young life at risk and no standard solution available, our team had to act quickly to find another way to help.
How we helped.
Trusted professional care and support from loved ones are critical during a high-risk mental health crisis. In most cases, medical evacuation would be the next step so a member can receive that care and support. But during the pandemic, that option was off the table for this student.
So, we did one of the things we do best: we got creative. We arranged for a trained therapeutic companion to stay with the student in the university’s residence hall to help keep the student safe. The companion provided ongoing, in-person support while longer-term options were explored. We ensured the student was cared for until travel restrictions eased, and a safe return home was possible.
This is how Blue Cross Blue Shield Global SolutionsSM turns tough moments into real help—making healthcare across borders easier, safer and full of support when it matters most.
