Every year since 2016, more than 1,000 Hoosiers have died by suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This statistic is alarming and saddening. As we recognize September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, let's seize the opportunity to spread the word about Indiana's resources dedicated to helping those in crisis.
Hoosiers can dial or text 988 for a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress. Whether you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, 988 provides trained specialists 24/7 to help.
During the legislative session, I supported expanding the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline with the goal of giving Hoosiers in crisis someone to call, somewhere to go and someone to respond during an emergency. Over the next several years, this program will continue to improve and expand to provide onsite, community-based interventions, including de-escalation, stabilization and treatment. This expansion will include mobile crisis teams who are trained and skilled in responding to anyone experiencing mental health-related distress, and are comprised of peers and behavioral health professionals skilled in providing specialized crisis care to people in their community. Local providers that would like to be part of the 988 mobile crisis unit, can visit in.gov/issp and click on "988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline."
Hoosiers can also turn to Indiana's Be Well Crisis Helpline by dialing 211, which connects callers to a trained counselor for help with stress, loneliness or mental health issues. Go online to bewellindiana.com to check out mental health resources, connections to financial aid and addiction help.
For a full list of suicide prevention resources, visit in.gov/issp.
In Indiana, we continue to make strong investments in our state's mental health infrastructure. Whether it's boosting funding for community mental health, regional mental health facility grants to help those who are incarcerated, child behavioral health services or veteran suicide prevention efforts, we're taking a comprehensive approach to helping struggling Hoosiers.
Looking ahead, I'll continue to support better access and availability of high-quality mental health programs and resources in our local communities. During National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and beyond, let's work together to spread the word about the help and hope available to Hoosiers in crisis.
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State Rep. Jennifer Meltzer (R-Shelbyville) represents House District 73,
which includes portions of Bartholomew, Decatur, Jennings and Shelby counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
