I posted a message saying that addiction was “a disease; not a character flaw” on social media recently. In response, someone posted the question, “What happens next, Jim?”
Well, we know Indiana has been battling a mental health crisis for years. As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I am happy to report that there are signs of hope.
In the past, the Hoosiers in crisis did not know where to turn. Many people suffering from mental illness or addiction would end up in prison and be punished without receiving adequate treatment. But the root cause is not addressed: mental illness.
Finally, we are seeing a noticeable shift towards prevention and treatment, away from punishment. This effort is led by individual communities across the state. They implement comprehensive treatment programs that raise awareness of the options available to citizens in need, treat patients on a case-by-case basis, and guide them towards recovery.
A local community making strides is the City of Columbus, Bartholomew County and the Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress. After identifying that drug addiction was one of the biggest problems in the community, the local government began working with agencies in the area, such as health care providers, law enforcement, and recovery centers. recovery, as well as with those who had life experiences suffering from addiction to create a holistic plan to extend services to those in need. They recognized that it takes everyone to solve the problem.
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Although the state has taken some steps, unfortunately it is two steps forward and one step back when it comes to addressing the mental health crisis. This last legislative session saw that play out again. The state stepped back by passing House Enrolled Act 1300, which restricts organizations providing resources, including referrals to mental health services for some arrestees.
Meanwhile, the same legislature stepped forward when it passed, and then Governor Eric Holcomb signed the House Registration Act 1222 into law. HEA 1222 will set the stage for behavioral health infrastructure in the areas of community and criminal justice. Thanks to Mental Health America of Indiana as well as Indiana Rep. Cindy Ziemke, Rep. Ann Vermilion, and Senator Mike Crider for their efforts. The Mental Health and Addictions Division and the Governor are also to be commended for this great step forward.
HEA 1222 will serve as a catalyst for expanded access to mental health and addictions treatment services across our state. The central focus of HEA 1222 are programs called Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. MHAI President and CEO Steve McCaffrey said these clinics are designed to provide comprehensive services to vulnerable people with an emphasis on 24-hour crisis care, evidence-based practices and the simulation with physical health care. The current 18 certified community behavioral health clinic pilot programs in our state are proving successful.
Additionally, Holcomb announced the launch of Be Well Indiana, a resource that connects anyone in the state immediately with healthcare professionals in their community. We are moving forward by using the reach of a statewide outreach campaign to direct Hoosiers to a local treatment center with individualized programs.
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Finally, an additional step that we absolutely must take is to focus on data collection. The data collected by programs, such as behavioral health clinics, is invaluable to policymakers in determining where to invest in programs. It is the data that is missing in criminal justice, and data that could ensure that our tax dollars are spent in ways that address and reduce the root causes of crime. I urge the legislature to focus on data during the interim and identify what data is needed and where or who can provide it. When we have a complete picture of the problem, we can begin to resolve it adequately.
The hashtag used by MHAI is #MentalHealthIsHealth. The mission of treating mental illness as another health issue is exactly where we should be going in Indiana. We are now taking a step forward.
Jim Merritt is a former Indiana State Senator, serving in District 31 for 30 years.