Esperanza Monge, who is the Mental Health Liaison for Goshen School and our LCC Champion in the northern Indiana region provided us with some valuable information regarding mental health resources, especially within the school system/ workplace and how they can be accessed. Mental health support is crucial for individuals with developmental concerns, offering guidance through trauma recovery, emotional regulation, and identity exploration. Many seek services to address personal challenges, while alternative options like vocational rehabilitation, grief support, and practical coping resources provide additional pathways to well-being. Despite the importance of mental health care, barriers such as stigma, limited professional recommendations, and public knowledge gaps often hinder access, particularly for those within neurodivergent and intellectual/developmental disability (ND/IDD) communities. Children benefit from education-based services, therapy, coping skill development, and provider coordination—an often-overlooked aspect in educational discussions. Adults may seek assistance for addiction, intrusive thoughts, relationship struggles, emotional regulation, and safety concerns, including suicidal ideation. Finding the right provider involves assessing their experience with similar diagnoses, their therapeutic approach, and the willingness to explore alternative referrals. Various evidence-based modalities, including CPP (Child-Parent Psychotherapy) / PPP (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy), TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), cater to diverse needs and age groups. Navigating mental health care can be challenging, but resources like Employee Assistance Programs, insurance directories, Psychology Today, NAMI, and Mental Health America (there are 11 MHA in indiana alone!) help individuals connect with appropriate support.
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