By Lisa Kelly, LCSW, MPH
Executive Director, Mental Health Awareness of Michiana
In my years as a social worker and now leading Mental Health Awareness of Michiana (MHAM), I’ve noticed a striking consistency: we are incredibly proactive about our physical health. We schedule annual physicals, we track our steps, and we don’t hesitate to visit a doctor when a cough lingers too long.
But when it comes to our minds, we often wait until the “cough” has turned into a crisis.
At MHAM, our mission is to remove the barriers to care that keep our neighbors in Michiana from living their best lives. One of the most powerful—and underutilized—tools we have to do that is the mental health screening (Take a Mental Health Test – Mental Health America)
It’s a Check-up, Not a Diagnosis
The word “screening” can sound clinical or even intimidating, but it’s actually one of the simplest acts of self-care available. Much like a blood pressure cuff identifies a risk for heart disease, a mental health screening is a series of science-backed questions designed to help you understand your current emotional landscape.
It isn’t a diagnosis. It’s a data point—a way to see if the stress, sadness, or anxiety you’re feeling is a temporary cloud or something that requires a bit more support to navigate.
Why Screening Matters Now
We know that half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14, and 75% by age 24. Yet, the average delay between the onset of symptoms and receiving treatment is a staggering 11 years.
Screening helps us close that gap. By identifying symptoms early, we can:
- Prevent Crises: Catching anxiety or depression early can prevent the need for high-acuity, emergency care later.
- Reduce Stigma: When we treat mental health check-ins as a routine part of wellness, we strip away the shame that often keeps people silent.
- Improve Outcomes: Early intervention lead to shorter treatment periods and more resilient recoveries.
Our Commitment to Michiana
At MHAM, we believe that everyone deserves to be “literate” in their own mental health. That’s why we advocate for screenings and offer classes.
Through our Asesoramiento Gratuito, we see firsthand how life-changing it is when someone finally has the access to a professional who can help. But that journey almost always starts with a single question: “How am I really doing?”
Take the First Step
If you’re feeling “off,” or even if you feel great and just want a baseline, I encourage you to take five minutes today for a screening. It’s free, it’s confidential, and it’s the first step toward a healthier version of you.
In Michiana, we look out for one another. Let’s start by looking out for ourselves.
Ready to check in? You can access free, confidential mental health screenings through our national affiliate Take a Mental Health Test – Mental Health America
At MHAM, we see every day how much connection and support can change someone’s life. Your generosity helps make possible our education classes, Asesoramiento Gratuito, peer support, mental health screenings, and public events that bring people together and open the door to healing. These programs are creating hope for individuals and families across Michiana – and we couldn’t do it without you.
Thank you for being a part of the MHAM family and for making mental health a priority in Michiana.
