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Mental Health Hack-A-Thon

2023

Local Events Database

We like to connect Hoosiers to mental health-focused events and opportunities in their area. We encourage those utilizing the event database to check with event organizers to confirm the status of scheduled events and programs. Please click here to submit your event.

  • Timezone UTC+6
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past events

May 4, 2023

HHS Summit: Support is Here to Strengthen Mental Health

Event Snapshot

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) held the HHS Summit: Support is Here to Strengthen Mental Health in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, May 4, 2023 to highlight work being done under the current presidential administration on national, state, and local levels to strengthen mental health. Through a series of fireside chats and panels, leaders in the field of mental health discussed progress around three key pillars that drive the vision for mental health support around the country: strengthening system capacity through workforce development, connecting people to the care they need, and creating healthy environments.

3 Big Takeaways

1

HHS announced the launch of FindSupport.gov, an online hub that connects site visitors with resources for finding care for mental health or substance use issues, learning about signs that show mental health support may be beneficial, navigating treatment and cost options, and accessing SAMHSA’s National Helpline or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

2

Days prior to this conference, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued the Surgeon General’s Advisory report, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation,” informing Americans about the negative impacts of loneliness on the physical and mental health of the population and providing stakeholders with recommendations for advancing social connection to combat this epidemic. Ensuring that people with mental health and/or substance use issues have connection to care and access to healthy environments that foster positive social relationships links directly to the Surgeon General’s recommendations.

3

Speakers from government agencies such as Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and Administration for Children and Families (ACF) alongside non-profit organizations like National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and National Association of Counties (NACo) provided insight into independent and collaborative initiatives and resources for further learning for summit attendees.

Read More

https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/05/secretary-becerra-announces-new-initiatives-hhs-mental-health-summit-to-strengthen-access-to-mental-health-care.html

March 9, 2023

Irsay Institute Kickoff

Event Snapshot

Indiana University President Pamela Whitten, Indianapolis Colts Vice Chair/Owner Kalen Jackson, and Irsay Institute Director Bernice Pescosolido teamed up to formally introduce the Irsay Institute on March 9, 2023. Additionally, event attendees were invited to tour the facility—located in the newly renovated Morrison Hall on Indiana University’s Bloomington campus—and speak with both graduate and undergraduate students involved in the institute as well as IU faculty and representatives from key partnerships with the institute.

3 Big Takeaways

1

The Irsay Institute will bring transdisciplinary innovation into multiple sectors surrounding health and healthcare through the avenues of research, training and workforce development, and social change.

2

The Irsay family gave a $3 million gift toward the Irsay Institute to promote and provide opportunity for the work of reducing stigma around mental health challenges, increasing preventative care and practices in the field of mental health, and expanding quality treatment options.

3

Dr. Pescosolido highlighted partnerships between the Irsay Institute and a variety of organizations, including those involved with national mental health/mental illness campaigns—like The Indianapolis Colts’ Kicking the Stigma Initiative—data collection and analysis, youth advocacy groups, training and mentorship, adult mental health programs, IU Health and IU School of Medicine, and the State of Indiana.

Read More

https://news.iu.edu/live/news/28175-iu-opens-research-institute-addressing-stigma

October 21, 2022

Indiana Mental Health Summit

Event Snapshot

Indiana Supreme Court Justice Loretta Rush convened the first Indiana Mental Health Summit on October 21, 2022 in Indianapolis. The event focused on how courts and jails can work with multiple mental health system stakeholders to avoid incarcerating Hoosiers whose mental illness can be addressed more effectively in communities.

3 Big Takeaways

1

The conference highlighted findings from the recent Behavioral Health Commission report that found untreated mental illnesses in Indiana cost the state $4.2 billion annually.

2

State leaders advocated for a $1 per month surcharge on phone bills to pay for a 988 mental health hotline.  Note: this replicates the effective 911 surcharge.

3

Gov. Holcomb, Senate Pro Tem Roderic Bray and House Speaker Todd Huston each committed their leadership to make this issue a priority in the 2023 legislative session.

Read More

https://www.wishtv.com/news/local-news/indiana-convention-center-hosts-historic-2022-indiana-mental-health-summit/

September 17, 2022

Indiana Conference on Citizenship

Event Snapshot

On September 17, 2022, Sagamore Institute hosted its 7th annual Indiana Conference on Citizenship, where Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch teamed up with the Indianapolis Colts to launch the Indiana Mental Health Roundtable.

3 Big Takeaways

Read More

https://sagamoreinstitute.org/indiana-conference-on-citizenship-2021/