A mental health crisis is quietly unfolding in Indiana, especially among the state’s rural and underserved youth. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for Hoosiers age 15 to 24, and over 25% of high schoolers have seriously considered suicide, according to the Indiana Youth Risk Behavior Survey. With only 24 certified Community Mental Health Centers serving Indiana, all 92 counties in the state are federally designated as areas with mental health service shortages.
The provider-to-student ratios in Indiana schools are alarmingly high: 2,700 students per school psychologist, 1,829 students per social worker and 694 students per counselor. These figures far exceed the recommended ratios of one counselor or social worker for every 250 students and one psychologist for every 500 students.
Even with not-for-profit services, families face long waits or must travel far for care, especially in rural areas where the shortage of mental health professionals is most severe. Indiana schools, key providers of mental health support, are strained by staffing shortages and limited resources.
“The collaboration to increase mental health practitioners in our schools reflects IU’s fierce commitment to improve the well-being of all and effectively disrupt the cycle of unaddressed mental health needs,” said Kalea Benner, dean of the IU School of Social Work. “Placing mental health practitioners in school systems allows us to improve outcomes for those most vulnerable.”
Placing graduate students in underserved schools
In 2023, the IU School of Social Work launched an initiative with a five-year, $5.7 million U.S. Department of Education grant to expand the mental health workforce in underserved schools. The program offers full one-year tuition scholarships and $5,000 stipends to up to 20 second-year Master of Social Work students, placing them in high-need communities for hands-on practicum experience.
In its first year, the program supported 11 IU students who, under supervision, provided critical support to thousands of vulnerable students. They made over 6,000 contacts, conducted 73 suicide assessments, addressed 60 incidents of violence and provided group counseling to 443 students. For many, these social workers were their first contact with mental health professionals.
After completing their practicum and coursework, graduate students in the school social work focus area sit for the licensed social work examination. Upon successfully passing that first step, they can apply for the licensed school social worker credential from the Indiana Department of Education, confirming their school-based mental health services specialization and making them highly qualified for school roles, especially in high-need areas.
Offering flexible programs and professional development
Partnerships with school districts like Pike Township, Perry Township and Tippecanoe have been key to the success of the Mental Health Service Capacity Building Program. High-need districts have welcomed IU students, recognizing their vital role in supporting learners.
A central feature of this program is its “learning circles,” where students, school staff and practitioners share knowledge, engage in professional development and foster community involvement. These circles address student needs and strengthen school environments.
“The learning circles are a true community collaboration,” said Kyle Walke, lecturer in the IU School of Social Work. “Presenters from IU, licensed social workers and our partners at the Research Triangle Institute joined us, and we adapt training to meet the specific needs of our schools.”
Expanding access to mental health training
Building on its earlier success, the program invited school staff who work with graduate students to join learning circles this year and earn continuing education credits to enhance their skills and ensure a more comprehensive approach to mental health care in Indiana schools. The program will be extended into rural areas with limited resources, placing trained social workers in schools so no child is left without care.
Key to building a sustainable infrastructure is integrating online courses and continuing education efforts. The School of Social Work has developed school-based mental health courses accessible statewide, equipping graduates and professionals to earn endorsements, credentials and continuing education credits.
“The ability to build sustainable behavioral health resources across the state is critical to providing essential infrastructure for schools and communities,” Benner said. “This partnership with schools and the communities they are embedded in represent the impact that a community-engaged institution such as IU can achieve.”
The true measure of success will be in the lives that are changed: students who received critical support at crucial moments.
“Every child deserves to have their basic human physical, cognitive, social, emotional and spiritual needs met,” Pierce said.