Fall 2020 Indiana Mental Health News & Updates
10.29.20 | Fall 2020 Issue
Upcoming Events:
Get ready for our FREE and NOW VIRTUAL Mental Health and Addiction Symposium and Heroes for Recovery Luncheon! Join Mental Health America of Indiana as we discuss a variety of topics from addressing supportive housing in Indiana to how mental health is impacted in the digital age. Our theme for this year's conference is:

“Research to Treatment: Understanding Mental Health During a Time of Crisis"

Get your tickets today and mark your calendar for December 10th!
Service Spotlight
Looking for continuing education in mental health or addiction? Explore over 100 different training courses through The Mental Health America of Indiana SWD Training Institute!
Service Spotlight
Learn more about Recovery Residences in Indiana Additional Resources.
Service Spotlight
Looking for mental health services? Our service provider offers art therapy, trauma therapy, marital and family therapy, and addiction services. Schedule an appointment with Mental Health America of Indiana Treatment Services here: Mental Health America of Indiana Treatment Services
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please call 2-1-1.

To seek additional help or services, please contact the Indiana Mental Health and Addiction Ombudsman or a Peer Recovery Coach
Back to School During the Pandemic:
How COVID-19 Has Effected
Parents, Teachers, & Students
Throughout the state, public officials have pushed for schools to reopen, though some say the current state of the pandemic may not be safe for in-person learning. Across Indiana some school districts have designed their plans to be completely virtual, completely in-person -- or for some, a hybrid of both. Though, no matter the plan your district has chosen, you are probably experiencing some kind of stress related to going back to school in 2020. Students of all ages and grade levels, including collegiate students, are coping with a new set of challenges as schools have started back this fall.

In a nationally representative survey of young people aged 13-19:
• Approximately 25% felt disconnected from peers and adults.
• Over 50% were more concerned than usual about their family’s physical and emotional health (including health, finances, and basic needs).
• More than 1 in 4 reported an increase in sleep loss due to worry, feeling unhappy or depressed, feeling constantly under strain, and loss of confidence in themselves.

Some students have even felt an increase in anxiety due to being separated from their families after months of togetherness. For some kids it will trigger separation anxiety, in addition to the anxiety they may feel about leaving their safe space or home during the months of school shut down. For parents who have children that may experience these issues, experts say to practice separation, like letting children play in a room by themselves, to prepare kids for an extended length of separation, if and when their schools re-open.

We have seen that in the past, pandemics have exacerbated overall mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and addiction. We also know that 60 - 80% of U.S. students who receive mental health treatment, do so in schools, and students who receive social emotional learning programs improve their academic performance by 11 percentile points. These statistics show that mental health services in our schools matter, and without frequent access to these services, our Hoosier children may continue living with underlying mental health conditions, without access to quality treatment services. (SAMSHA)

Certainly, education can only occur in the schools themselves when done safely and according to guidelines. Whether at school or at home, it is important to be cognizant of your child’s mental wellness. If you are a parent and would like to know more about what you can do for your child's mental health during this time of uncertainty, please download our Back to School Toolkit.


As always, stay safe and be well.

Stephen C. McCaffrey, JD
President and CEO
Mental Health America of Indiana
What is Happening at Mental Health America of Indiana:
The Mental Health and Addiction Symposium and Heroes for Recovery Luncheon
Don't miss out on this year's FREE and VIRTUAL Mental Health and Addiction Symposium, in conjunction with our annual Heroes for Recovery Luncheon!

This year we will have workshops that will focus on:
  • Racial Disparities in Mental Health and Addiction
  • The State of Suicide in Indiana
  • The Next Steps in Supportive Housing in Indiana
  • Addressing Severe Mental Illness
  • The Next Addiction Crisis
  • Mental Health in the Schools and Children
  • The History of Mental Health

To learn more about the conference and to register click the button below!
Regional Recovery Hubs
Mental Health America of Indiana has created Regional Recovery Hubs distributed geographically around the state. These Hubs will expand our ability to connect Hoosiers with mental health and substance use disorders to treatment and recovery supports through Certified Peer Recovery Coaches, Community Health Workers, and Certified Recovery Specialists. These Regional Recovery Hubs will be able to assist individuals with substance use disorder, regardless of where someone is in their recovery journey.
MHAI Interviews with WFYI on Dealing with Stressful Times
With the culmination of a divisive election, the pandemic, social inequities, job losses and widespread economic challenges, many experience high stress right now, and that can have health consequences.
Niki Angelaki, Vice President of Treatment Services for the Mental Health America of Indiana, spoke with WFYI's Terri Dee about the need for people to stay connected, but set boundaries and accept that they cannot extend themselves as much as they used to.
What is Happening Around the State:
Addressing Mental Health in the State House
During the interim, Mental Health America of Indiana has been focused on following how the Indiana State Legislature plans to deal with the behavioral health crisis as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, specifically in minority communities. MHAI will continue supporting our community partners in working on the following issues:
  • Address the increase in mental health issues and misdiagnoses in the minority populations.
  • Reduce mental health stigma in minority populations.
  • Support the coalition to use tobacco tax dollars to increase mental health screenings.
  • Help 142,000 Hoosiers stop smoking or avoid addiction.
  • Help more Hoosiers access healthcare.
  • Invest in training and recruiting more health care professionals in rural and urban communities.
  • Improve our rankings by investing in behavioral health.
To review MHAI’s full Public Policy Agenda, click here.
The Indiana General Assembly’s Interim Public and Behavioral Health Committee considered a number of these issues over the summer months. To watch the most recent public health committee, please click here.
The Behavioral Health Commission:
As the governor has appointed our CEO, Steve McCaffrey, as one of the new members of the Indiana Behavioral Health Commission, we hope that you follow along with us! To view the recap of the most recent meeting click the button below!
Thank You For Supporting Our Mission!
For every dollar raised, Mental Health America of Indiana is able to continue to serve Hoosiers living with mental health conditions and addiction disorders. We hope that you consider giving to our cause and thank you for your support in the fight for victory over mental illness for all!
Thank you to our Annual Sponsors!
Mental Health America of Indiana | www.mhai.net