IU Health, CareSource partner on mental wellness program for teens and young adults

(Indianapolis - July 31, 2019)

Teens and young adults at Orleans Junior and Senior High School now have the opportunity to be seen by a therapist without leaving school.

“Today's students face issues that are unique to their generation. Even though families in our community want to help their children navigate these difficult years of life, many just can't relate to their distinctive issues,” says Chris Stevens, Ed.D., principal of Orleans Junior and Senior High School. “We chose to partner with IU Health and CareSource as a way to offer high-quality, affordable, and timely mental health care to our students. We believe this program will help students not only survive their Junior High and High School years, but also thrive during those years.” 

The new school-based virtual care program allows students to meet with licensed providers from Indiana University Health, at their school, in a private room, using video conference tools funded by CareSource.

Orleans Community Schools introduced the mental wellness program to more than 350 students (grades 7-12) and their parents this week at Back to School Night. 

“In today’s environment, we believe mental wellness is as important as physical wellness,” says Stephanie Berry, director of behavioral health at IU Health. “This new program will be transformative for students who have had limited or no access to behavioral health services.”

Depression and anxiety in teens and preteens are on the rise, as is teen suicide. In April 2018, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that the suicide rate among U.S. youth, ages 10 to 17, had increased by 70 percent between 2006 and 2016.

“Together with our partners, we can fundamentally change the ways children can access mental health providers while at school,” said Steve Smitherman, president of the Indiana Market for CareSource. “Increasing access to care is one of CareSource’s top priorities, and we are proud to support this innovative program.”

About Indiana University Health
Named among the "Best Hospitals in America" by U.S. News & World Report for 21 consecutive years, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent, patient-centered care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation's leading medical schools – gives our highly skilled physicians access to innovative treatments using the latest research and technology. Learn more at www.iuhealth.org.

About CareSource
CareSource is a leading nonprofit multi-state health plan serving government sponsored programs and is nationally recognized as an industry leader in providing member-centric health care coverage. Founded in 1989, CareSource administers one of the nation’s largest Medicaid managed care plans. Today, CareSource offers individuals and families comprehensive health and life services including Marketplace and Medicare Advantage plans.

Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, CareSource serves nearly 2 million members in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia and Georgia. CareSource understands the challenges consumers face navigating the health system and works to put health care in reach for those it serves.

For more, visit www.caresource.com, follow @caresource on Twitter, or like CareSource on Facebook.