Riley Children's Hospital aims to integrate mental health services in primary care

If you or someone you know has thoughts of self-harm, free help is available 24-hours a day by text, call or chat at 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

The COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken to slow its spread have led to unintended consequences for people around the world, most notably isolation.

During the lockdowns and social-distancing efforts of 2020, Americans were more alone than ever before, and young people in particular are now struggling to form meaningful relationships.

Depression, anxiety, and the tendency for self-harm among young people have reached an all-time high in the United States. Riley Children's Hospital partnered with PBS to produce a documentary film entitled "Racing to Respond" that addresses the mental health crisis in the United States, particularly among Hoosier teens.

The film gives voice to the testimonies of two families impacted by anxiety, depression, and self-harm among youth. "Racing to Respond" describes how isolation among children, teens, and young adults is more widespread now than in the past.

The film illustrates that loneliness is a common grievance among Hoosier youth, and cases of suicide have risen precipitously.

Feelings of isolation and sadness have been building among Hoosier youth

Loneliness is not a problem that began only three years ago.

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed a pattern that had been developing for a long time.

"Indiana's youth suicide rate has been higher than the national average since 1999," Indiana Suicide Prevention reports.

Riley Children's Foundation reports suicide is the No. 2 cause of death among Hoosier teens. Indiana is in the top 10 U.S. states showing the largest percentage increase in deaths by suicide among 10- to 24-year-olds between 2007 and 2008. Nearly a quarter of high school-age girls and 12% of high-school age boys gave serious consideration to committing suicide in 2022.

One in 5 kids have a mental health disorder, and 82 counties in Indiana have a shortage of mental healthcare professionals, facilities, and other resources. However, no part of the state — or the country — truly has "enough" mental healthcare resources available.

"Approximately 85% of the Hoosier population lives in a mental health shortage area, meaning there aren't enough professionals to meet the growing demand for services," Riley officials said in a statement. "Gaps exist across the state in most behavioral health professions, in both licensed and non-licensed roles."

Statistics capture only a fraction of the full picture. The feelings of shame commonly associated with depression, anxiety, self-harm, and substance abuse create difficulty in assessing the full scale of these mental health problems.

Without a cultural acceptance of those who suffer from these conditions, health professionals say they will not be able to accurately assess the full extent of the mental health crisis, or who will require treatment, or what kind of treatment will be necessary.

Riley Children's Health working on statewide strategic plan

Riley Children's Health is working with 220 stakeholders in the state to develop Indiana's pediatric mental health strategic plan. Composed of clinicians, educators, families, community leaders, and state leaders, the stakeholders have participated in the creation of an initiative that reflects the needs and concerns of families across the state.

"Our vision is to create a future where Indiana youth can receive the right care, at the right time, and in the right place for their mental health and substance use disorder needs," Riley said in a statement.

With people so young afflicted with anxiety and suicidal thoughts, prevention and early intervention is key. Riley's program will be the first of its kind for Indiana.

Riley is getting help from a state grant and a philanthropic commitment from Riley Children's Foundation. The organization is in the process of providing mental health services in primary care offices to help struggling families and individuals access services in a timely manner.

As the plan develops, Riley Children's Health will invest in integrating mental health into primary care, developing programs for schools, creating parent support groups, and creating training facilities to prepare healthcare professionals to provide evidence-based interventions.

"Despite the severity of the situation, more than half of kids with a mental health or substance use disorder aren't receiving any treatment," Riley's statement continued. "A severe shortage of providers both nationally and in Indiana means families are waiting months to get appointments, if they can find one at all.

"The situation is beyond dire for families, especially those on Medicaid… Addressing this public health emergency will require all of us working together — state and local governments, healthcare systems, schools, the business community, nonprofits, and donors."

More information about "Racing to Respond," including a link to the trailer, is available here. https://www.rileychildrens.org/connections/racing-to-respond

The film has been shown in Evansville, Bloomington, Fort Wayne, West Lafayette and South Bend. It will show in Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Nov. 20. A reception will be at 5 p.m., with a screening at 6 p.m. and a panel discussion at 7 p.m. Learn more at https://shorturl.at/hqH69

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Documentary focuses on need for youth mental health services in Indiana