Indiana Behavioral Health Commission concludes work with final report

"INDIANAPOLIS – A statewide commission of 24 elected officials, stakeholders and behavioral health providers has concluded its two-year examination of Indiana’s behavioral health delivery system and issued its final report to the Indiana General Assembly.

The report from the Indiana Behavioral Health Commission makes recommendations regarding infrastructure in the mental health space, workforce needs, overall mental health and well-being for Hoosiers, as well as funding recommendations.

“This report builds on the important, ongoing work already underway by stakeholders in partnership with the state of Indiana,” said Jay Chaudhary, chairman of the commission and the director of the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction. “I thank the commission members for their dedication to this work. We know that these collaborations must continue in order to improve access to mental health care for Hoosiers, and how that care is delivered.”

The commission was formed in 2020 under the direction of the Indiana General Assembly in SEA 273, authored by Sen. Michael Crider, who also served on the commission.

“I’m excited to take the findings of the commission to my colleagues in the Indiana General Assembly,” Crider said. “I urge my fellow legislators to examine how we can continue to support the progress underway in delivering behavioral health services.”

The report examines the future of work already underway in Indiana, such as the new 988 three-digit number for crisis response, the intersection with criminal justice, and how to improve Hoosiers’ mental health literacy.

The full report can be accessed on the Behavioral Health Commission’s website here."