Messmer Column: Addressing Mental Health of Hoosiers

Local Sources - In this week's Messmer Report, with Indiana State Senator Mark Messmer (R - Jasper), Messmer addresses mental health.

In recent years, the Indiana General Assembly has worked to make mental health resources more accessible to Hoosiers.

During the 2023 legislative session, the General Assembly approved Senate Enrolled Act 1, which helps lay the groundwork for expanding the number of behavioral health clinics in Indiana and establishes the next steps for improving the state's mental health care system. The 2024-25 budget provides $100 million for these efforts.

While Senate Enrolled Act 1 was an important step in the right direction to helping Hoosiers dealing with mental illness, more work is needed.

This year, the Interim Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Human Services was tasked with studying the impacts of mental illness in Indiana among Hoosier veterans and first responders, and making recommendations on how best to help.

In September, groups like the Indiana Sheriff's Association, Mental Health America of Indiana and the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs testified during a committee hearing.

According to the presentation from Mental Health America of Indiana, around 15% of the general population will be diagnosed with depression during their lifetime. The group notes that some studies show 23% of active-duty military personnel and 20% of veterans will be diagnosed with depression.

Mental Health America also testified that police and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, and EMS personnel have a suicide rate 1.4 times higher than the general population.

As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs in The Military, I am committed to working with my colleagues to see what more can be done to help Hoosier veterans and public safety personnel dealing with depression and other mental health issues. Veterans and first responders sacrificed so much to keep us safe, and supporting them is always a top priority.

As always, feel free to contact my office directly with your questions and concerns by email at [email protected] or by phone at 800-382-9467.