A recent report by Josh Flynn of the Logansport Pharos Tribune presents some alarming numbers regarding Hoosier youth’s struggles with mental health issues.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reports that suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 24.
Additionally, Indiana’s suicide rate has exceeded the national average since 1999, according to the Indiana Youth Abuse and Suicide Prevention Center.
suicide rate The state’s population of people ages 10 to 24 increased by 60% from 2008 to 2018.
Whitney Downard of the Indiana Capital Chronicle reported similar numbers in February. Citing his 2024 Indiana Youth Institute’s KIDS COUNT databook, more than one-third of the state’s high school students said they felt sad or hopeless every day for about two weeks in 2022.
These reports highlight the widespread need for mental health services to help young people cope with ongoing issues. Access to mental health services during difficult times is critical for students in schools across the state.
4C Health offers 24-hour mental health crisis help centers and text message options throughout the state, with locations serving residents in Miami, Pulaski, Howard, Tipton, Carroll, Fulton and Cass counties .
4C recently announced an agreement with Taylor Community Schools in Howard County to bring mental health skills clinicians to the district. Clinicians work with students to learn behavioral, coping, and regulatory skills.
Superintendent Steve Dishon said at a recent Taylor School Board meeting that the service is needs-based, so if more students need help, 4C will provide more staff. This agreement includes additional bonuses. For Taylor, it’s free, except for a small fee the district pays for non-Medicaid students to receive the service.
considering a number of issues More school districts need to emulate this approach, which confronts Hoosier youth with family life, academics, and after-school activities and responsibilities.
Until then, there is one initiative in place to provide support to Hoosier youth and educators. Project AWARE Indiana works to provide school districts with mental health awareness tools and support. The project began in 2018 with support from the Indiana Department of Education and the Department of Mental Health and Addictions.
According to the initiative’s website, Project AWARE Indiana began by serving Avon Community School Corporation, Perry Central Community School, and Vigo County School Corporation, and now extends across the state from South Bend Community School Corporation in the north. Expanding to 19 school districts. To the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation in the south.
We applaud efforts like the 4Cs and Project AWARE Indiana that focus on care and consideration for Hoosier students. The programs these organizations run highlight the importance of mental health support and support needed in schools.
Kokomo Tribune Editorial Board
