Mental Health America - Wabash Valley Region

How wonderful to finish out the year breaking the stigma surrounding mental health... Our President & CEO Brandi Christiansen was interviewed by the Kokomo Post on The Ripple Effect in partnership with Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union We're happy to offer our navigator services to #HowardCountyIndiana and all 11 of our counties! Listen to our new mission statement and how we can support you! Podcast link in the comments.

We are reposting -in light of the new year upon us. ‘Growing’ can be challenging at times. We understand. Remember we’re here for you as you find your path. Give us a call. 765-742-1800

We are excited to share an inspiring story that highlights the remarkable journey of Don Hartsborough, a Purdue student who founded the Lafayette Crisis Center in 1964. Not only did he establish our local crisis line, but his visionary efforts also laid the groundwork for what would become Indiana’s 988 crisis hotline. MHA WVR proudly served as the home of the crisis center until its transition in 2020 to one of Indiana’s four state-run 988 call centers. Hartsborough’s dedication to supporting those in crisis has culminated in the publication of a significant book documenting the history of suicide prevention hotlines. We honor his groundbreaking work and the innovative spirit of Purdue University, particularly the College of Health and Human Sciences. Our ongoing partnership with Purdue continues to enrich our efforts to promote mental health and well-being. Check out the full article to learn more about this impactful legacy! Read more in the comments below.

We love these little reminders! Happy Friday, all!

Friday Feature: Help us welcome Michael Harvey to Mental Health America Wabash Valley Region as our new Crisis Center Director! Michael is a dynamic and results-driven leader with a remarkable background in nonprofit management, healthcare coordination, and community engagement. Known for his dedication to fostering social justice, equity, and impactful change, he brings an unparalleled level of experience and passion to our organization. In his role, Michael will oversee and support the incredible work of our Crisis Center team, whose dedication to mental health care ensures our community has access to life-saving resources and support. His proven ability to build community alliances, secure funding, and lead multidisciplinary teams will undoubtedly enhance the vital work we do every day to keep our community safe and supported. Michael’s career spans incredible achievements, including leading national advocacy efforts, revitalizing faith-based communities, and implementing innovative strategies to improve patient outcomes in healthcare settings. He is also deeply engaged in community service, contributing to organizations like the Greater Lafayette Opioid Task Force and NAACP. We are thrilled to have Michael at the helm of our Crisis Center and look forward to the positive changes his leadership will bring. Please join us in warmly welcoming him as he embarks on this meaningful journey with us! 💙

🌟 Celebrating the Final 2024 Cohort of ASIST-Certified Community Members! 🌟 We are celebrating the latest and final 2024 cohort of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) certifications at Mental Health America Wabash Valley Region (MHA WVR)! We're building a stronger, more compassionate community where everyone has the tools to support those in crisis. A huge thank you to Grant Merrel from LivingWorks for helping facilitate this training. Your expertise and dedication are invaluable in advancing suicide prevention in our community. A special shoutout to our Community Trainer, Woody Berentes, for his continued commitment to equipping our community with life-saving skills. Woody’s initiatives to meet people where they are, deliver impactful training, and drive our mission forward have truly elevated our outreach efforts! Want to make a difference? Register now for our 2025 FREE Suicide Prevention Training offered in Kokomo, Delphi, and Lafayette, IN - registration link in the comments. 👉 Visit our website to learn more about all of our trainings. www.mhawv.org #SuicidePrevention #ASIST #MentalHealthMatters #MHAWVR #CommunityImpact

In the toughest moments, a positive thought can be your greatest strength. It’s a reminder that no matter how difficult things seem, there’s always a glimmer of hope, a reason to keep going. That single spark of positivity can lift your spirit, renew your resolve, and shift your entire outlook.

Ever wonder what to say to someone you know who you suspect may be having thoughts of suicide? We can teach you. Plan to learn the skills that could help save a life. We're glad to bring this valuable training to our community at no cost. Who should get ASIST trained? Anyone who is an advocate for mental wellness. Anyone who is passionate enough to break through the common stigma surrounding mental health and truly wishes to make a difference in someone's life. Register today for many opportunities in the upcoming Quarter 1 - 2025

Last night, Mental Health America Wabash Valley Region had the privilege of participating in the Legislative Forum. Our very own Stafka Poweleit, Clinical Director, sat on the panel. We’re incredibly proud that our President & CEO, Brandi Christiansen, served as the event's moderator, skillfully guiding discussions on critical mental health issues impacting our community. This important event provided a platform to discuss critical mental health issues impacting our community and to share the challenges and successes we've experienced in supporting mental health for all. Engaging with legislators and community leaders is vital as we work together to advocate for policies prioritizing mental health resources and accessibility. By raising awareness and fostering collaboration, we’re building a brighter, healthier future for everyone. We’re grateful to our legislators and attendees for their commitment to these conversations. Thanks for asking Brandi Bowers-Christiansen to moderate the event. It's always a pleasure! 📸 Credit: Valley Oaks #MentalHealthAdvocacy #CommunityEngagement #LegislativeForum #MHAWVR We're proud to stand tall with this community of mental health advocates. Thank you, to the planning committee, Nicole Adams, Zoe Frantz, Valley Oaks Health, Sycamore Springs Behavioral Health, Sheila Klinker, Ankit Foundation Corp, NAMI West Central Indiana, Spencer Deery, Chris Campbell (she, her), Bauer Family Resources, LTHC Homeless Services, State Senator Ron Alting, Indiana Council and all who came out to prioritize mental wellness in our community.

Another fantastic start to our Gift Lift Program! We want to thank Bucheri McCarty & Metz LLP for their dedication year after year to make our Gift Lift a success! These wonderful volunteers are wrapping more than 700 gifts that will bring joy to those experiencing mental health challenges in our community. We wish a warm and Merry Christmas to the folks at: North Woods Village, Kokomo Healthcare, Aperian Care Kokomo, The Pillars, Bona Vista Programs, Inc., Indiana Mentor Peru, Sargent Place 4C Health #4DayWorkWeekEmployer#4DayWorkWeekEmployer#4DayWorkWeekEmployer#4DayWorkWeekEmployer#4DayWorkWeekEmployer, Community Howard Regional Health, Community Fairbanks Recovery Center, Jefferson Manor, Wellbrooke, Howard County residents at Logansport State Hospital, Community Howard Regional Health, St. Vincent Kokomo Hospital, Gilead House