During the past six weeks of quarantine, anxiety has increased across the state.
Stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines have disrupted everyday life for Hoosiers, causing widespread emotional distress.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials have recognized the mental health struggle Hoosiers face. Now, the state is rolling out a new set of tools to help those struggling with stress, fear, anxiety and anger.
On Monday, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced that the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has launched a new website: BeWellIndiana.com, a tool providing Hoosiers with free mental health resources.
Vetted by experts, BeWellIndiana.com helps Hoosiers with increased anxiety, depression and other mental health issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Resources on the website are curated by the Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction.
The website shares information ranging from coping mechanisms, crisis counseling, how to self-monitor for signs of stress, domestic violence resources, and substance use disorder and recovery, as well as tips for helping children, youth and teens. It also addresses financial needs for Hoosiers, sharing information for those seeking help with insurance, unemployment, child care, food insecurity, and more.
Other resources on the state’s website include homeschooling tips, ways to work from home, information on coping with a job loss, and addressing medical questions and concerns.
Domestic issues have been prevalent since “hunker down” orders have gone into effect.
At the beginning of April, Indiana’s 211 hotline had gone from receiving about 1,000 calls a day regarding mental health — including potential suicide threats — to 25,000 calls a day since. In addition, calls to Indiana’s addiction hotlines went from an average of 20 a week to 20 a day.
For those seeking a more local connection outside of the state website, organizations such as Centerstone, Center for Counseling and Family Service are all accepting new clients through telehealth platforms.
The governor said the website is intended for use after the pandemic, signaling he intends to continue to address the issue moving forward.
The state has taken the right stance on mental health, recognizing a real issue that needs to be addressed now.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you need help” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Outside of the state’s new set of resources on BeWellIndiana.com, there are other local services offering mental health services.
Center for Counseling, Coaching & Consultation, LLC
724 Third St., Columbus
Phone: 812-447-2464
centerforccc.com
Centerstone Behavioral Health
Services currently provided via telephone or video conferencing
Information or appointments: 800-344-8802
24 hour Crisis line: 800-832-5442
Family Service, Inc.
Now accepting new clients through teletherapy via Zoom
Phone: 812-266-0575 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phone 812-372-3745 to leave an after-hours message.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
Send comments to [email protected].