Screenshot of the parentguidance.org landing page.
County officials have signed a memorandum of understanding with the local school corporation to provide parents of students with access to online mental health resources.
Bartholomew County Commissioners on Monday approved a two-year pilot agreement with Flat Rock Haw Creek School Corporation that will provide free access to resources at parentguidance.org.
The county is paying for this using $15,000 in Health First Indiana funds, said Amanda Organist with the Bartholomew County Health Department.
“We deal with themes like anxiety and depression, bullying, grief and loss (and) suicide prevention,” the organist said. “Resources like this are needed locally based on mental health issues.”
Organists say the 2021 Mental Health Survey found that 22% of local children aged five to 17 perceive their mental health to be fair or poor, four times the national average. It turned out.
“This will give parents and students a way to support that.”
The county will pay for access through 2026, after which Flat Rock will be responsible for funding, county officials said.
Commissioners approved a three-year agreement in March to provide all Bartholomew County residents with access to another mental health platform called CredibleMind.
With CredibleMind, participants take a quick assessment and are provided with over 20,000 resources to help address mental health issues.
Commissioner Tony London said: “There is a significant lack of available mental health care for all ages, but especially children.” “…The fact that[the guidance for parents]is aimed at young people is even more important. There aren’t enough providers out there and they’re becoming overwhelmed, so we have to give them a little bit of everything.”
