Director

Purdue University Fort Wayne 
Behavioral Health and Family Studies Institute

Center of Excellence

The institute focuses on issues that relate to the prevention of behavioral dysfunction and the restoration of mental health functioning across the life span within an individual, family, and community context with the goal of increasing the quality of life for the citizens of northeast Indiana.

The Institute is modeled after the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute and enhances the quality of life in the region by:

• Providing leadership to the northeast Indiana community in concerns related to behavioral health and family studies.
• Offering professional training to behavioral health and family services providers.
• Providing a central source of information related to behavioral health and family studies topics for the citizens of northeastern Indiana.
• Encouraging high school students, college students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and other scientists to pursue careers in behavioral health and family studies fields.
• Collaborating with other Purdue Fort Wayne Centers of Excellence to provide northeastern Indiana human service and government agencies consultation, needs assessment, program planning, and evaluation.

Mission

The mission of the Purdue University Fort Wayne Behavioral Health and Family Studies Institute is to provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary center offering leadership for community concerns related to behavioral health and family studies and providing professional education, community training, professional practice experience, consultation, research, and dissemination of knowledge related to behavioral health and family studies topics.

Community Outreach

The Behavioral Health Institute is committed to working with the community on projects that enhance mental health and decrease health disparities. The Institute coordinates the Indiana Suicide Prevention Coalition (ISPC) and Empowered! Minds.

House Enrolled Act 1430 – Suicide Awareness and Prevention Effective- July 18, 2017

Background:

The Indiana General Assembly recently passed legislation requiring all school corporations to adopt a policy intended to increase child suicide awareness and prevention.  The statute sets forth specific items that must be addressed in this policy. The law is effective July 1, 2017; however schools likely will be unable to adopt a policy by this date. Therefore, schools should adopt a policy as close to the beginning of the 2017-18 school year as practical.  In the coming weeks the department will post additional information to assist schools in adopting a policy, so check http://www.doe.in.gov/student-services/suicide-prevention-and-response for more information. 
Additionally, beginning after June 30, 2018, each school corporation, charter school, and accredited nonpublic school shall require all teachers (as defined in IC 20-18-2-22) and other appropriate school employees in schools with grades 5-12 to attend or participate in at least two hours of evidence-based in-service youth suicide awareness and prevention training every three school years. The statute also sets forth specific training requirements.

Guidance:  
Suicide Prevention Policy: 

Per IC 20-26-5-34.4, the required school corporation policy must address the following: 

1) Counseling services for the child and the child’s family related to suicide prevention.

2) Availability of referral information for crisis intervention to children, parents, and school corporation staff.

3) Increasing awareness of the relationship between suicide and drug and alcohol use. 

4) Training on warning signs and tendencies that may evidence that a child is considering suicide. 

5) Availability of information concerning suicide prevention services in the community. 

6) Cooperation among the school corporation and suicide prevention services in the community.

7) Development of a plan to assist survivors of attempted suicide and to assist children and school corporation staff in coping with an attempted suicide or death of a student or school employee.

8) Development of any other program or activity that is appropriate. 

Evidence-based Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training:

Per IC 20-28-3-6, the training:

• beginning after June 30, 2018, is required for all teachers, including a Superintendent licensed under IC 20-28-5; principal; teacher; librarian; school counselor; school psychologist; school nurse; school social worker; and also may include any other appropriate school employees; who are employed at schools that provide instruction in any combination of grades 5-12;
• must be during the teacher’s or school employee’s contracted day or at a time chosen by the teacher or employee;
• may include an in-person presentation; electronic or technology-based medium, including self-review modules available on an online system; an individual program of study of designated materials; or any other method approved by the governing body that is consistent with current professional development standards;
• shall count toward the requirements for professional development required by the governing body; and
• must be approved, recommended, or listed as approved by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center or the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

A school or school corporation may leverage any existing or new state and federal grant funds or free or reduced cost evidence based youth suicide awareness and prevention training provided by any state agency or qualified statewide or local organization to cover the costs of the training.  

Additional resources, including potential funding options, will be posted in the near future to:  http://www.doe.in.gov/student-services/suicide-prevention-and-response.

Indiana Suicide Prevention Coalition

Statewide Map of Coalition

Mental Health
Headlines and Trainings

April Edition - 2021

Headlines

• Download the 2021 LookUP Mental Health Toolkit (sermon, Bible study, worship tools and graphics to support mental health ministry) - VIEW AND DOWNLOAD TOOLKIT PDF HERE
• New booklet for providers serving Hispanic and Latino populations - Download
• Can a young child have suicidal thoughts? - https://afsp.org/story/can-a-young-child-have-suicidal-thoughts?fbclid=IwAR2wBrJRptU2_153G0dSW5mdgoAvTnGYTI5FFEs9uUy5XSULURP73I6skqc
• He said he was going to watch cartoons.  Instead, he opened his dad’s gun safe - https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/03/29/children-under-fire-excerpt/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_most&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F3163378%2F6061fad29d2fda1e56d83fed%2F596a9162ae7e8a0ef33faddb%2F9%2F72%2F6061fad29d2fda1e56d83fed
• The real reasons why parents are disconnected from their children - https://www.elephantjournal.com/2021/02/the-gap-is-widening-between-us-and-our-grown-children/?fbclid=IwAR2OiO-JU-4wAN_IqJaES_PAVFVjkLzdrvefGXkO1GHkBQTalOADHB56koI
• Achieved webinar – Structural Racism and Black Mental Health - https://attcnetwork.org/centers/southeast-attc/product/southeast-attc-aabh-x-coe-structural-racism-and-black-mental-health
• Talking to kids about racism and violence - READ MORE ▸
• What to do if you’re worried about suicide - READ MORE ▸
• National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s Mental Health & Suicide Prevention National Response to COVID-19 (National Response) is launching a series of briefings for Congressional staff to discuss policy solutions that can address our national mental health and suicide crisis.
• Sesame Street’s racial justice resource page for young children - SSIC.org/Racial-Justice
• Bent not Broken - Read More
• Click on Opinion | I Don’t Want Another Family to Lose a Child the Way We Did - The New York Times
• Trauma-informed care model for immigrant and Hispanic and Latino clients - Download
• Mental health information in Spanish Click on  - Children and Mental Health: Is It Just a Stage?-  Depression: Basic Information - Depression in adolescence - Schizophrenia - Eating disorders: A problem that goes beyond food - Chronic Illness and Mental Health: Recognizing and Treating Depression
• Fact sheets: After High School: Talking With Your Young Adult About Underage Drinking; Be Prepared to Have the Difficult Conversation; Prevent Unsafe Drinking Behaviors on Campus; Getting Ahead of a Problem
• Racial trauma is real - https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/schools/lsoe_sites/isprc/pdf/Infograph.pdf
• College mental health – two reviews completed by Cornell University and Harvard University - Cornell’s Mental Health Review: Final Report; Commending Cornell’s Mental Health Recommendations;  Harvard Students: “Widespread Anxiety, Depression, and Loneliness”
• How to ask your boss for a mental health day – click on Read more.
• How to Take Care of Yourself When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed – click on Read more.
• Four Simple Tips to Help You Manage Anxiety Related to COVID-19 – click on Read more.
• Breaking the stigma - Suicide Infographics
• Parents guide to OCD – click on READ MORE ▸
• OCD and suicide – click on READ MORE ▸
• Three steps to show up for the people around us, one conversation at a time - file:///C:/Users/jordana/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/QLS7SNIP/V-A-R-Toolkit.pdf
• Suicidal thoughts are increasing in young kids, experts say  It began before the pandemic – https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/suicidal-thoughts-are-increasing-young-kids-experts-say-it-began-n1263347?fbclid=IwAR3-LxNEMEFAQ4GMpZPyAms1b0wGHpI2FNcAhrnYjCJUWxxx3WgCPoV8ifM

~ Virtual Events ~

 (unless indicated, all events listed below are FREE)

• April 13 – Race, Mental Health & Equity – 3pm to 4pmEST - Register Today >
• April 14 – Marijuana: Substance Use & Mental Health Fact vs. Fiction – 11:30am to 1pmCST – click on Register Here
• April 14 – Responding to Suicidal Ideation of Self-har from a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Perspective – 2pm to 3pmEST – click on to Register in TRAIN
• April 14 – Social Media Monitoring with Student Engagement – 4pm to 5:30pmEST – click on ENROLL
• April 15 – QPR Training for Trainers (T4T) – 8:30am to 4:30pmEST – cost: $495 – to register click https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc_ge67u0JPCTGxNc99_uB92nVWFyu8-t6OzI6xK9wFM2Cgw/viewform  
• April 15 – click on Factors Associated With Suicidal Ideation Among Transgender Individuals – 11am to 12:15pmEST
• April 16 – Promoting the developing brain: An intro to child brain development – 10am to 11:30amEST – click on https://www.eventbrite.com/e/starke-county-virtual-youth-worker-cafe-registration-148917954611
• April 21-24 – American Association of Suicidology Annual Conference (in person and virtual)  – please click on link for registration fee and registration info www.aasconference.org  
• April 22 – click on Engaging the Firearm Community in Suicide Prevention – 11am to 12:15pmEST
• April 23 – Adult Mental Health First Aid – cost $50 – 9am to 4pmEST – click to REGISTER
• April 24 – Indiana State Police 20^th Drug Take Back Day – 10am to 2pmEST - @ any Indiana State Police Post
• April 25 – Let’s Drive Together for Autism Acceptance – 1pm to 4pmEST – Glenbrook Square @ Carson’s
• April 28 – Talking with Teens in a Way That Actually Works – noon to 2pmEST – click on to register https://www.eventbrite.com/e/talking-with-teens-in-a-way-that-actually-works-registration-143830652353
• April 29 - Reversing the Trend of Irreversible Actions: Teen Suicide Prevention - 11am to 12:15pmEST
• April 30 - Collaborative vs. Directive: Supporting Children and Adolescents When Someone Dies of Suicide – 1pm to 2:30pmEST - Register Here
• May 6 – 4^th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium - https://www.ncoa.org/article/4th-annual-older-adult-mental-health-awareness-day-symposium
• May 6 – Spiritual First Aid – 1pm to 5pmEST - https://fb.me/e/OSsenPImhttps://big.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/lookup/documents/Spiritual-First-Aid-Description.pdf?mtime=20210127165812&focal=none
• May 6 - Suicide Risk in Uncertain Times - 11am to 12:15pmEST
• May 13 & 18 – IN PERSON (Historic Women’s Club – Ft. Wayne) – Non violent Crisis Prevention Intervention Workshop – 9:30jam to 2:30pmEST – cost: $30 – SAVE THE DATE
• May 14 - Part One of Two - Engaging Communities In The Aftermath of Suicide: Critical Immediate and Long Term Planning Steps For Community Postvention – 1pm to 2:30pmEST - Register Here
• May 21 – One More Day, Veteran Suicide Prevention Program – 2pmEST - https://fb.me/e/OSsenPIm
• May 22 – 2021 National LOSS Conference – 10am to 1pmCST - Click here to register
• May 26 – Setting Boundaries & Consequences for Youth – noon to 2pmEST – click on to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/setting-boundaries-consequences-registration-144216939749
• May 28 - Part Two of Two - Engaging Communities In The Aftermath of Suicide: Critical Immediate and Long Term Planning Steps For Community Postvention – 1pm to 2:30pmEST - Register Here
• June 2 – Supporting Students Impacted by Racial Stress and Trauma – 3pm to 4pmEST – click on to register   https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qduivpz4qGtDS_lati3ebxPl8FzxifvXC
• June 15 – IN PERSON – QPR Training – 4pm to 6pmEST – cost: $75 -  QPR Suicide Prevention Training
• June 22 & 23 – 2021 Indiana School Health Network Conference – 7:30am to 3:30pmEST – click to register https://onlinexperiences.com/scripts/Server.nxp?LASCmd=AI:4;F:QS!10100&ShowUUID=186AC0C7-4617-4E4F-A935-73F6A6A63CCC
• June 25 - Recovering after Loss: Postvention Strategies for Schools – 1pm to 2:30pmEST - Register Here

Download the Informational 'Blast' PDF here

Survivors of Suicide

• Coping
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Surviving a Suicide Loss:  A Resource and Healing Guide.
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) - Suicide Prevention Resources for Survivors of Suicide Loss
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Talking to Children About Suicide
• Margo Requarth - Talking to Children about Suicide
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Surviving a Suicide Loss: A Financial Guide
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) - After a Suicide:  Recommendations for Religious Services & Other Public Memorial Observances

 Suicide Attempt Survivors

• American Association of Suicidology - Helping Survivors of Suicide

 Other Resources

• 13 Reasons Why Information and Resources 
• www.jedfoundation.org
• www.ulifeline.org
• Informational Flyers on upcoming events
• www.thecampusprogram.org
• www.halfofus.com
• www.transitionyear.org
• www.loveislouder.com

Coronavirus Resources

Community Outreach

When people click please list the following documents in which they can access:

• 2020.Allen County.Resources
• 2020.statewide
• 2020.covid-19.northeast indiana resources
• 2020.apps.mental health apps

Statewide Outreach

• 2020.nationwide
• 2020.covid.information and resources from NAMI
• 2020.covid-19.northeast indiana resources
• 2020.covid-19.parent handout
• 2020.how to talk with children
• 2020.children coping factsheet
• 2020.taking care of yourself virus
• 2020.coping with stress during infectious disease outbreaks

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resources & Information

The social, economic, and emotional stress this pandemic is adding to the burdens of many people. Society has been faced with one the greatest public health challenges in our lifetime. Below, is a list of helpful resources for mental health information and resources related to COVID-19, isolation, anxiety, stress, and more. As a community, we can become more knowledgable about this pandemic, support one another, and get through this!

 Mental Health Information For Disease Outbreaks

• Mental Health America of Northeast Indiana is hosting an online anxiety and depression support group using Zoom web conferencing software. They have started a new support group, meeting every Monday from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm using Zoom. You can sign up for next Monday's free support group on Eventbrite. There will be a new Eventbrite for each week's session, so they ask that all attendees to continue signing up for the support group through Eventbrite.

• Living With Mental Illness During COVID-19 Outbreak– Preparing For Your Wellness
• Managing Stress and Anxiety related to COVID-19
• Tips For Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak
• COVID-19: Potential Implications for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders
• Coronavirus and Emerging Infectious Disease Outbreak Response
• Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak
• Frequently Asked Questions on Mental Health, Mental Illness, and COVID-19
• Dermatillomania During COVID-19

Financial Support

• COVID-19 Ancillary Costs

Tools And Information On Anxiety

• Anxiety Screening Tool
• What is Anxiety?
• Anxiety Information and Support
• Care for your Coronavirus Anxiety
• Staying Grounded
• Meditations and Calming Exercises
• Manage Anxiety & Stress
• Taking Care of Your Emotional Health

Tools To Connect With Others

• Social Support: Getting And Staying Connected
• MHA’s Inspire Community
• Lyf App
• Wamlines

Resources For Immediate Response

• Disaster Distress Helpline Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) provides crisis counseling and support for anyone in the U.S. experiencing distress or other behavioral health concerns related to any natural or human-caused disaster, including public health
• Crisis Text Line Text MHA to 741741 and you’ll be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor. Crisis Text Line provides free, text-based support 24/7.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -- 24 Hour Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255

Resources For Mental Health Providers

• A Guide to Transitioning Your Clinic to a Remote Work Environment
• Medicare Telehealth Healthcare Provider Fact Sheet
• Use of Telemedicine While Providing Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
• Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) Guidance
• COVID-19 and Opioid Treatment Programs FAQ

Resources For Parents

• Talking to Kids about COVID-19
• Cómo hablar con los niños sobre el coronavirus
• Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource
• Supporting Kids During the COVID-19 Crisis
• How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids
• Talking to Kids about Fear and Violence
• List of Live Webcams, Virtual Tours, and Virtual Field Trips
• Scholastic Learn at Home Free Resources
• Smithsonian Distance Learning Resources
• Virtual Field Trips from Discovery Education
• How to Help Your Teen Through the Coronavirus Shutdown
• 75+ Entertaining and Educational Activities for When You’re Stuck Indoors
• Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
• Supporting Your Child

Resources For Caregivers

• Caregiving for a Person with a Mental Illness
• Care for Caregivers: Tips for Families and Educators
• Caregiver Action Network
• National Alliance for Caregiving

Resources For Older Adults

• National Council on Aging
• Do Your Part to Stem COVID-19: An Intergenerational Call to Action

wikiHow-To Articles

• How to Deal with Coronavirus Anxiety
• Prepare for Coronavirus
• Deal with the Coronavirus Outbreak: Your Most Common Questions Answered
• How To Talk To Kids About Coronavirus

General Information About COVID-19

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Hub from the CDC
• Fact Sheets on COVID-19 in Spanish and Other Languages
• Coronavisrus (COVID-19) Situation Report from the World Health Organization (WHO)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public
• Preguntas y respuestas sobre la enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19)
• American Psychological Association (APA) Resources on Pandemics
• Parkview COVID-19 Resources

Schools Offering Meals (For specific locations & directions, click the hyperlink)

• Fort Wayne Community Schools will provide free breakfast & lunch for children at ALL elementary schools starting Tuesday, March 17. Meals are available by walk-up/drive-up for all kids, regardless of the school they attend, ages birth through high school from 10:30am-1:30pm, Monday to Friday. Children MUST be
• East Allen County Schools will provide each child with two bags of food.. The first bag will have a five-day allotment of breakfast and the second bag will have a five-day allotment of lunch items. Please be prepared to provide your child’s name upon meal pick-up. Meals can be picked up March 24th, March 31st, and April 7th from 11am-1pm and 4pm-6pm.
• Northwest Allen County Schools is pleased to offer both breakfast and lunch meals starting Wednesday, March

18. Meals will be available for pick-up: Mondays-Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm at Huntertown Elementary School at 15330 Lima Rd., and Carroll High School, 3701 Carroll Rd.

• Southwest Allen County Schools will offer lunches during e-learning and available for pick-up to all Southwest Allen County schools students at Homestead High School from 11am- 1 pm and 4pm- 6pm, Monday through Friday. Meals will be handed out by SACS Food Service staff at door 10-A, located on the east side of Homestead High School.