Bowen in the News: All Indiana counties have a mental health workforce shortage. A new report provides solutions

Bowen in the News: All Indiana counties have a mental health workforce shortage. A new report provides solutions

Bowen Director Dr. Hannah Maxey

The Bowen Center’s Playbook for tackling Indiana’s mental health workforce crisis is featured in a new article from WFYI Indianapolis.

The opening paragraph of the story sums up the crisis in Indiana well:

Over 1 million adults in Indiana have a mental health condition, and 345,000 of adults who need mental health care don’t receive it. Statistics are also bleak for children. Suicide is the leading cause of death among adolescents in the state and 54% of Indiana kids aged 12–17 who have depression did not receive any care in the last year.

Bowen Director Dr. Hannah Maxey sat down for an interview with WFYI reporters to go in-depth on our concrete plan for tackling the issue head-on.

“Not all of our workforce provides services to Medicaid beneficiaries,” said Hannah Maxey, lead author of the report and director of Indiana University’s Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy. “So even in a county where we might have seemingly enough professionals, that doesn’t mean that they’re available for the full population.”

Read the full article from WFYI here. 

Indiana’s mental health care is in crisis, with both real-life impacts on the everyday lives of millions of Hoosiers and for the long-term economic outlook of our state. Our Playbook tackles that crisis head-on, offering concrete policy solutions to increase the number of mental health care workers in Indiana. Find out more here. 

Mental Health Workforce: ICCMHC commits to support the Playbook

Mental Health Workforce: ICCMHC commits to support the Playbook

Zoe Frantz, ICCMHC President and CEO

We are thrilled to announce that earlier this summer the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers (ICCMHC) officially committed to supporting Bowen’s Playbook for Enhancing Indiana’s Mental and Behavioral Health Workforce. This endorsement marks a significant step forward in addressing the critical workforce challenges facing the mental health sector in Indiana. The ICCMHC’s commitment, announced on July 15, 2024, aligns perfectly with our mission to enhance the quality and accessibility of mental health services across the state.

Zoe Frantz, President & CEO of Indiana Council, emphasized the importance of this commitment, stating the following:

“Our commitment to the Bowen Health Workforce Playbook is a significant step towards ensuring that Indiana’s mental health workforce is prepared to meet the growing and evolving needs of our communities.”

Read their full press release here. 

We are confident that this collaboration will lead to meaningful improvements in the availability and quality of mental health services throughout Indiana.

Indiana’s mental health care is in crisis, with both real-life impacts on the everyday lives of millions of Hoosiers and for the long-term economic outlook of our state. Our Playbook tackles that crisis head-on, offering concrete policy solutions to increase the number of mental health care workers in Indiana. To learn more about the Playbook and its strategies, visit The Playbook home page. 

Together, we’re building a stronger, more resilient mental health workforce for Indiana.

Inside Indiana Business: IU unveils Playbook to address mental health workforce shortage

Inside Indiana Business: IU unveils Playbook to address mental health workforce shortage

Bowen’s Playbook to tackle the crisis in Indiana’s mental health is gaining traction and getting attention around Indiana. Read this latest in this article from Inside Indiana Business:

The Indiana University School of Medicine’s Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy has developed a playbook of recommendations to boost the number of mental health professionals in the state.

Read more on the Inside Indiana Business website here. 

Indiana’s mental health care is in crisis, with both real-life impacts on the everyday lives of millions of Hoosiers and for the long-term economic outlook of our state. Our Playbook tackles that crisis head-on, offering concrete policy solutions to increase the number of mental health care workers in Indiana. Find out more here.

Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette: New report details shortage of mental health professionals in Indiana

Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette: New report details shortage of mental health professionals in Indiana

Bowen’s Playbook for Enhancing Indiana’s Mental and Behavioral Health Workforce is getting attention in the press across Indiana. Check out this article from the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette:

Indiana has a shortage of mental health professionals, a situation a provider describes as a crisis, a report released Wednesday says.

“The Playbook for Enhancing Indiana’s Mental and Behavioral Health Workforce” seeks to address that shortage by identifying opportunities and recommendations to strengthen the state’s pipeline of those professionals.

Read more on the Journal-Gazette website here. 

Indiana’s mental health care is in crisis, with both real-life impacts on the everyday lives of millions of Hoosiers and for the long-term economic outlook of our state. Our Playbook tackles that crisis head-on, offering concrete policy solutions to increase the number of mental health care workers in Indiana. Find out more here.

Faith Meets Mental Health: Dr. Maxey to Present at CTS Talks

Faith Meets Mental Health: Dr. Maxey to Present at CTS Talks

Bowen Director Dr. Hannah Maxey

Mark your calendars for an inspiring evening at the upcoming CTS Talks, a series of lectures given at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, featuring a thought-provoking presentation by our director, Dr. Hannah L. Maxey. As a guest speaker, Dr. Maxey will deliver a talk titled “Mental Health: The Crisis and a Call to Action for People of Faith.” This timely discussion will address the critical issue of mental health in America and its significant impact on individuals and communities of faith. Dr. Maxey will explore how faith communities are uniquely positioned to respond to this crisis, challenging attendees to become ambassadors of love and hope. Her expertise promises to shed light on the silent struggles many face due to stigma and the difficulties in accessing care amidst professional shortages.

CTS Talks is known for its TED Talk-style lectures that bring together intellectual curiosity and community reflection. By participating in this event, our director contributes to a broader conversation on mental health and faith.

More information about the event and how to register is available on the CTS website here.

The event is free, but registration is required.

When: 4 p.m., Sept. 12
Where: Christian Theological Seminary, Shelton Auditorium, 1000 W 42nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46208