Get Immediate Help

Confidential & available 24/7
Call 800-284-8439 or Text LookUp to 494949
or
Start a Chat

START THE CONVERSATION. SILENCE THE STIGMA.

READ UP

Discover current events, recent news and articles related to mental and behavioral health.

Home » Blog

Blog Posts

06/18/2019

June is National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month - Newsletter Summer 2019, Vol. 18
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was first brought to the public attention in relation to military veterans.  The numbers can be startling.  According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and their National Center for PTSD, it is estimated that about 30 out of every 100 (or 30%) of Vietnam Veterans have had PTSD in their lifetime.  Yet, it may surpr ... Read More
Read Post
06/12/2019

Father’s Day and Mental Illness
I never did enjoy Father’s Day.  No, I’m not a father.  I’m a daughter of one.  You see, my Dad struggled with Bipolar disorder.  Bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic-depressive disorder, is a mental disorder that involves unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the way a person thinks. These shifts include periods when the person feels ... Read More
Read Post
06/02/2019

Exercise: A Prescription for Mental Health
We've long known there are many health benefits of exercise. We think of the benefits to heart health and Body Mass Index (BMI) to name a few. It turns out, regular exercise provides us with even more good news. The University of Vermont recently studied the impact of integrating exercise and nutrition programs into the treatment plans of patients at an ... Read More
Read Post
05/28/2019

Hope and Healing for PTSD
Life happens, right?  One day, everything can change in an instant.  We never forget those days, the events inscribed on our souls for a lifetime.  I’ve had several of those days.  And like many, I’m good today.  For some of us, we bounce back, we move forward.  However, what if, despite your best efforts, your strongest will and determination, ... Read More
Read Post
05/23/2019

Check Your Spokes
Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It’s easy math to consider that an employer, with even as few as 50 employees, has approximately 10 who need us to care as much about their mental illness as we do things like diabetes and heart disease. We need to take a more proactive approa ... Read More
Read Post
05/20/2019

Mental Health Focus is Good for Business
National Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportune time for employers to promote positive well-being in the workplace. Focusing on worker health and safety should not only address physical welfare, but mental and emotional well-being as well. Mental health concerns are common, and conditions like depression and anxiety affect every industry and occupation, ... Read More
Read Post
05/16/2019

Regional Leaders Come Together for Mental Health
The Regional Mental Health Coalition of Northeast Indiana, an initiative of The Lutheran Foundation, is a multidisciplinary advocacy body focused on improving mental and behavioral health and wellness. The Coalition is asking for your help and support in promoting mental health awareness in your areas of influence. More conversations need to happen. More educat ... Read More
Read Post
05/14/2019

Talk To Kids About Mental Health
Mother's Day has a way of making us reflective of our parenting, doesn't it? Are you preparing your children well for life? Are you having the important conversations that set them up for success, make them resilient and demonstrate your confidence in their abilities and choices? May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which is a good time to evalua ... Read More
Read Post
04/29/2019

3 Easy Ways to Support Mental Health Awareness Month
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. If you've been following our blog for awhile, by now you might know that 1 in 5 of us experiences a mental health condition in any given year, and 1 in 2 will struggle with it in their lifetime. So, it's safe to say that a mental illness is affecting, will affect, or has affected you or someone you love. Even if ... Read More
Read Post
04/17/2019

Drug Take Back Day - April 27, 2019
DEA Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.  Saturday, April 27, 2019 is national prescription drug take back day. It's important to properly dispose of your prescription medications when you no longer need them. Research shows that more than 60 percent of Americans prescribed opioid ... Read More
Read Post
04/09/2019

It's Stress Awareness Month! 7 Tips to Tame Your Stress.
April is Stress Awareness Month Stress is a normal reaction, both physiologically and psychologically, to the daily demands of life. In fact, small amounts of good stress are linked to increased productivity and performance. When our brain perceives a threat, it tells the body to release "fight-or-flight" hormones that increase heart rate, raise blood pressure, ... Read More
Read Post
04/03/2019

Preparing Pastors for May: Speak Up for Mental Health in the Church
In many churches, May is a time to recognize confirmations and graduations, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. But why not also recognize in the church that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? What a great opportunity for the church to speak up about mental wellness and reduce the stigma around mental illness. But what can a church do? Here are two suggestions: a ... Read More
Read Post
03/22/2019

Deaths From Drugs and Suicide Reach a Record in the U.S.
“The old way was, ‘Don’t talk about it. The new way is, ‘Let’s talk about it.’” Re posted from The New York Times, written by Adeel Hassan. The number of deaths from alcohol, drugs and suicide in 2017 hit the highest level since the collection of this type of federal mortality data started in 1999, according to an analysis by two public health ... Read More
Read Post
03/19/2019

Self-Harm Awareness
Self-injury is a topic of conversation that is difficult for most people to have. Self-harm carries a stigma that is difficult to break. We have to be available to have the conversation about what it is, and how to help those that struggle with it. Many are not even aware of what self-harm is and how people are affected by it. Self-harm is more common than you m ... Read More
Read Post
03/15/2019

Is there such thing as "Video-Game Addiction?"
I grew up playing the original Nintendo...  Tetras, Duck Hunt, and Super Mario Brothers were the extent of my video game exposure.  I had to 'fight' my younger brother for game time and since his skills surpassed mine at day one, I just never caught the 'game bug.'  Since that first exposure to these games in the early 90s, I've witnessed friends and family ge ... Read More
Read Post
03/12/2019

New Drug Approved for Hard-to-Treat Depression: Esketamine Nasal Spray
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first 'new' kind of depression drug since Prozac came to the market in 1988.   Spravato (esketamine) nasal spray, in conjunction with an oral antidepressant, is for the treatment of depression in adults who have tried at least two other antidepressant treatments but have not benefited from them (treatment-resi ... Read More
Read Post
03/10/2019

Beautiful Swan: A Lake Called Depression and Suicide
Beautiful Swan Written by Olya Nakonechny for the Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Contest: Sharing stories of survival, hope, recovery, and revival from suicide attempt survivors.   Beginning Eight years old. I didn’t have a name for that feeling, but Nameless and I have lived together since I can recall my memories with spirit and color. At ti ... Read More
Read Post
03/07/2019

Anxiety and Depression Common Problem Among Youth
Millions of America’s teenagers are anxious and depressed — and 65% of those with depression, 80% of those with anxiety do not get any treatment.  A new Pew Research Center Study reveals seven out of ten teens see anxiety and depression as major problems among their peers, whether they personally suffer from these conditions or not. Concern about mental heal ... Read More
Read Post
03/04/2019

Reduce Access to Lethal Means, Save Lives: Free Online Course
Originally published on February 25, 2019 at the Education Development Center. Limiting access to lethal means—such as medications and firearms—is an effective way to save the life of someone who is experiencing an acute suicidal crisis. However, according to research from EDC’s Zero Suicide Institute, an estimated 90 percent of clinicians have not been ... Read More
Read Post
02/28/2019

The Momo Scare and How to Keep Your Kids Safe with Technology
The latest internet scare is "The Momo Challenge" in which children are encouraged to harm or kill themselves. Some of these messages have even been spliced into otherwise innocent videos on YouTube Kids.  While the video(s) are taken down once they are reported, it still leaves countless children exposed to harm.  What is often viewed as a trusted platform has ... Read More
Read Post
02/28/2019

Protect Your Peace: 5 Habits to Embrace in 2019
Originally posted on the blog for The Northeast Indiana Innovation Center here. Written by Karl R. LaPan, President & CEO, The NIIC The Northeast Indiana Innovation Center has partnered with LookUp Indiana to shine a light on better mental health, wellness and self-care for entrepreneurs and business builders. The stresses and tolls of starting, ... Read More
Read Post
02/27/2019

Eating Disorders: It's Not About Food.
It's National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.  Before you think this doesn't apply to you, consider that 4 out of 10 Americans have either suffered or known someone who has suffered from an eating disorder.  Yet, only 1 in 10 who suffer get treatment.  Unacceptable when complete recovery is possible with proper detection and treatment. What is an eating dis ... Read More
Read Post
02/15/2019

Webinar on LookUp: More Resources. Less Stigma. Better Mental Health.
Here's a chance to take a deeper dive into all LookUp has to offer and how to get the most out of this tool.   As a webinar participant, you’ll learn how to navigate the site to best find the information you need, including searching for mental health providers and support groups in Indiana nearest you, getting relevant information on specific mental health to ... Read More
Read Post
02/08/2019

What's Love Got To Do With It
February...  Valentine's Day.  Whether those two words spark joy or dread for you, there's something to be said about the relationship between love and mental well-being.  Many of us are lucky enough to have experienced the rush of feel-good hormones in an early stage of an exciting new relationship.  We know the deep unwavering love a parent has for a child. ... Read More
Read Post
01/28/2019

Seasonal Affective Disorder 101 - Newsletter Winter 2019, Vol. 14
Are you feeling the "winter blues" or in a seasonal "funk?"  Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same time every year. For most people with SAD, symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less of ... Read More
Read Post
01/22/2019

Indiana Workforce Recovery Initiative - Take the Survey
In 2018, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Wellness Council of Indiana announced the Indiana Workforce Recovery Initiative, a strategic partnership with Gov. Eric Holcomb and his administration to combat the opioid epidemic. A critical element of this Initiative is the collection of data to assess business perceptions, attitudes, knowledge and practices ... Read More
Read Post
01/18/2019

National Drug Facts Week: Shatter the Myths
This year the National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) will be Jan. 22-27, 2019. Every year the NDAFW brings teens and scientific experts together to discuss the scientific facts about drugs, as well as their potential health effects on teen bodies and brains. National Drugs and Alcohol Chat Day: January 24, 2019 Part of the week’s activities includes sci ... Read More
Read Post
12/11/2018

U.S. Life Expectancy Continues to Decline
The average life expectancy in the United States fell in 2017 according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  2017 marks the 3rd year in a row life expectancy has remained flat or gone down.  Life expectancy peaked in 2014 at 78.9 years.  Prior to 2014, life expectancy had been increasing over the course of the past 100 years. ... Read More
Read Post
12/06/2018

Ready. Set. Pause . . .
Your TV remote has pause, stop, and mute. Does your life? If it doesn’t, capacity will wane, joy will evaporate, and mental health issues will surface and multiply. A New Way of Doing Life Chaos is constant and demands dominate our days. Carving out time for quiet, even simply five minutes, is a chosen endeavor reserved for the wise and the determine ... Read More
Read Post
11/30/2018

Holiday Stress, Loss, and Joy
"My wife Rosie tells the story of our youngest son Justin accidentally letting go of a helium balloon he had gotten during a summer festival. He lost his grip on the thin ribbon attached to the balloon, and was quite upset as it drifted upward toward the clouds. In an effort to console him, Rosie told him that the children in heaven would be delighted with his gi ... Read More
Read Post
11/14/2018

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is once again sponsoring International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is Saturday, November 17, 2018.  This is one day a year when people touched by suicide loss gather around the world at events in their local communities to find comfort and gain understanding as they share stories of healing and hope.  This ... Read More
Read Post
11/09/2018

Veterans Day and Mental Health Resources
On November 11, Veterans Day, we honor and thank all the men and women who served or are serving in the United States Armed Forces. We express gratitude for their sacrifices. Veterans Mental Health "They’ve Given Us Their Best – It’s Time to Give Them Our Best."  This is a fitting title for a blog recently written by Jeannie Campbell, Executive Vice Pre ... Read More
Read Post
11/05/2018

FDA Approves New Opioid More Powerful Than Fentanyl - Dsuvia
Despite the ongoing opioid crisis plaguing the nation, the US Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a new opioid medication five to 10 times more powerful than fentanyl.  Fentanyl has been a drug that has been difficult to combat, requiring more than one Narcan dose when an overdose (involving Fentanyl) has occurred to save a person’s life.    Fen ... Read More
Read Post
10/25/2018

Why and How to Safely Dispose of Unused Medications
Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) states that nearly one-third of people aged 12 and over who used drugs for the first time began by using a prescription drug for non medical purposes.  Research shows that more than 60 percent of Americans prescribed opioid painkillers reported keeping leftover medication in their home medicine ... Read More
Read Post
10/17/2018

ADHD Awareness: Does ADHD Have You Dancing to the Wrong Tune?
October is ADHD Awareness Month.  Armed with recent information about ADHD and research-supported practices, life can be better for you and those you know with ADHD.  Certified ADHD life coach, Cheryl Gigler, shares on ADHD and dancing to your own tune. ADHD Awareness You may have seen the recent film, “Book Club.” There is a scene where Carol, played by ... Read More
Read Post
10/11/2018

Pastors are People, too. A Message for Pastor Appreciation Month.
On the route I take to work every morning, I pass by Crescent Avenue United Methodist Church, and on the church marquee this month are the words, “Thanks Pastor Mark. We Appreciate You.”  Here’s a church publicly expressing gratitude for its pastor during Pastor Appreciation Month. And I trust Pastor Mark is thankful he serves a church that appreciates him ... Read More
Read Post
10/09/2018

World Mental Health Day
Mental health affects ALL of us.  It crosses every demographic and every ocean!  World Mental Health Day (October 10, 2018) reminds us that we are not alone in our struggle to view mental wellness as equally important as physical health. A Global Issue We are not unique in struggling with untreated mental illness and stigma.  It's a global issue.  In a rece ... Read More
Read Post
09/28/2018

Epidemic of Despair
In my tenure as Health Commissioner I have been involved in a number of serious public health issues including West Nile Virus, SARS and even a pandemic.  Our healthcare systems collaborated to help mitigate the crisis and minimize the negative impact on our community in a timely manner.  But none of these outbreaks prepared me for the current epidemic.  This ... Read More
Read Post
09/27/2018

How Northeast Indiana is Shining Light on Mental Health
The Regional Mental Health Coalition of Northeast Indiana (RMHCNI) was recently featured in Business People Magazine for the collaboration and work being done to improve mental health in Northeast Indiana.  The feature provided statistics and awareness of September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness month and National Recovery month. Kristina Johnson, ... Read More
Read Post
09/20/2018

September is National Recovery Month - Recovery is Possible!
September is National Recovery Month.  We observe National Recovery Month to increase awareness and understanding of mental illness and addictions, as well as celebrate recovery from these conditions.  We are reminded that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover. Scope of the Issue One in five adults in the United States will experience a ... Read More
Read Post
09/19/2018

The Silent Killer: Stigma Toward Substance Use Disorders
As a nation we recognize we are in the midst of an epidemic with substance abuse and we have seen a year after year increase in the amount of fatalities due to drug overdose in the United States. The president, governors and community leaders everywhere have given “lip service” to the problem and have made attempts to make funds available for treatment. While ... Read More
Read Post
09/13/2018

Coping with the Loss of a Loved One Through Suicide
September is National Suicide Prevention Month.  This can be an especially difficult time for those who have lost a loved one through suicide. Processing death by suicide can be exhausting, lonely, and gut-wrenching.  Often times loved ones are riddled with guilt, shame, and endless questions about the “why’s” surrounding the death. Stigma The loss o ... Read More
Read Post
08/31/2018

The Addiction Series
The Addiction Policy Forum recently produced a new video series turning the science of addiction into stories that stick. Watch Episode I, “The Hijacker,” to learn about how substance misuse can change brain function. Watch Episode II, “Whirlpools of Risk," which explains the factors that can increase a person’s likelihood of developing a substance us ... Read More
Read Post
08/23/2018

What to Do During an Overdose & How to Use Narcan
International Overdose Awareness Day International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on August 31 each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose. ... Read More
Read Post
08/21/2018

Starting the School Year, Stopping the Bullying
As children across the country are starting school, we take care to make sure they’re equipped with the needed supplies and clothes that fit. Let’s be sure to equip them with the tools to help prevent bullying. If not stopped, bullying results in real and lasting mental health effects. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting ... Read More
Read Post
07/13/2018

Coping with Anxiety in a Sometimes Scary World
We have all likely heard about the shooting in a Noblesville, Indiana middle school on May 25th that seriously injured a teacher and a student. Thankfully, no lives were lost. Yet, from January 1 through the date of incident in Noblesville, our nation had suffered 28 shootings in elementary and secondary schools that resulted in the deaths of 44 people and injuri ... Read More
Read Post
07/03/2018

First Responders Experience Trauma and Poor Mental Health
Emergency medical services personnel, firefighters, and police officers ("first responders") are usually the first on the scene to face challenging, dangerous, and draining situations. They are also the first to reach out to disaster survivors and provide emotional and physical support to them. These duties are strenuous to first responders and with time put them ... Read More
Read Post
06/18/2018

Becoming a Trauma-Informed Community
Trauma Is Common; Yet Unique It is a near universal experience to be faced with a trauma at some point in our lifetime and our individual responses to experiencing trauma are as unique as each person is different.  Trauma is more common than we like to think, and it is unfortunately often hidden in the shadows due to shame and denial.   The National Child Tra ... Read More
Read Post
06/18/2018

Updated Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit from SAMSHA
Opioid overdose continues to be a major public health problem in the United States. It has contributed significantly to overdose deaths among those who use or misuse illicit and prescription opioids. In fact, all U.S. overdose deaths involving opioids (i.e., unintentional, intentional, homicide, and undetermined) increased to more than 42,000 deaths in 2016.1 ... Read More
Read Post
06/13/2018

Bowen Recovery Center Opens in Fort Wayne
The path to recovery is different for every individual, and the Bowen Center is helping hundreds of people to find their way in that process. Opening today, the Bowen Recovery Center will service a 100 mile radius around the Fort Wayne area in order to best assist individuals suffering from opioid use disorder. The Bowen Recovery Center is an opioid treatment pro ... Read More
Read Post
06/07/2018

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month - PTSD Overview
June is National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month June is National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. It is acknowledged annually on the 27th of June. The US Senate officially designated this day in 2010. In 2014 the Senate designated the whole month of June as PTSD Awareness Month. Throughout this month, LookUp will ... Read More
Read Post
05/24/2018

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month – WEEK FOUR
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. This month, LookUp, along with many other organizations and individuals, is raising awareness by fighting stigma, providing support, education, and advocacy for mental health.  Over the past 3 weeks, we’ve shared mental health insights from various community sectors.  (If you missed them, check them out here: We ... Read More
Read Post
05/22/2018

Wal-Mart to restrict opioid dispensing at its pharmacies
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has recently announced that it will restrict initial acute opioid prescriptions to no more than a seven-day supply as a means to curb over-prescribing by doctors.  The company has also said it will require e-prescriptions for controlled substances because electronic prescriptions are proven to be less prone to errors and can't be altered or ... Read More
Read Post
05/18/2018

Talking about School Shootings and Violence
We mourn with those in Santa Fe, Texas at the loss of lives in yet another school shooting.  We ask "why" and we will hug our loved ones even closer tonight.  How do we talk about this with our children?  Our friends?  Ourselves? In the aftermath of a tragedy, it’s normal to feel powerless, sadness, anxiety, fear, anger or any mix of these emotions. We e ... Read More
Read Post
05/18/2018

13 Reasons Why - Season Two - Toolkits
Season two of Netflix's 13 Reasons Why was just released.  13 Reasons Why is a fictional drama series that tackles tough real-life issues experienced by teens and young people, including sexual assault, substance abuse, bullying, suicide, gun violence and more.  This very popular series will, once again, generate significant media attention as well as question ... Read More
Read Post
05/16/2018

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month – WEEK THREE
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. This month, LookUp, along with many other organizations and individuals, is raising awareness by fighting stigma, providing support, education, and advocacy for mental health.  Each week, we’ll share mental health insights from various community sectors. This week, Erin Tock, Manager of Advocacy & Inclusion ... Read More
Read Post
05/10/2018

National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day 2018: Partnering for Health and Hope Following Trauma
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. This month, LookUp, along with many other organizations and individuals, is raising awareness by fighting stigma, providing support, education, and advocacy for mental health.  Each week, we’ll share mental health insights from various community sectors. As part of this awareness month, May 10, 2018 is National C ... Read More
Read Post
05/09/2018

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month – WEEK TWO
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. This month, LookUp, along with many other organizations and individuals, is raising awareness by fighting stigma, providing support, education, and advocacy for mental health.  Each week, we’ll share mental health insights from various community sectors. This week, Christy Gauss, MSW, Facilitator for the Indian ... Read More
Read Post
05/08/2018

Hooked: Series of Special Video Reports on the Opioid Crisis in Fort Wayne
FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- (Fort Wayne's NBC) All month long, Fort Wayne's NBC is taking a closer look at the nationwide opioid epidemic and how it's affecting the Fort Wayne community. A Life Sentence Watch the video here. Our goals are to look closely at the problem, brainstorm for solutions and to highlight the struggles of people who are addicted and the succes ... Read More
Read Post
05/03/2018

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month - WEEK ONE
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. This month, LookUp, along with many other organizations and individuals, is raising awareness by fighting stigma, providing support, education, and advocacy for mental health.  Each week, we’ll share mental health insights from various community sectors. WEEK ONE This week, Stephen C. McCaffrey, J.D., Presid ... Read More
Read Post
05/02/2018

Press Release - May is National Mental Health Awareness Month
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month “Please join me in raising awareness on the importance of mental health as the month of May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. We must come together to make Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana the best place possible for all of our residents to call home.” - Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry May is National ... Read More
Read Post
04/23/2018

Why You Should Check Your Medicine Cabinet
According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. DEA Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose ... Read More
Read Post
04/18/2018

Drug Poisonings Go Far Beyond Opioid Abuse
Cocaine, meth among other dangers MATTHEW LEBLANC | The Journal Gazette Wednesday, April 18, 2018  Opioids continue to ravage communities, but other substances including cocaine and synthetic drugs also are poisoning users, state and local officials said Tuesday. And more people are dying as a result. There were 68 fatal drug poisoni ... Read More
Read Post
04/09/2018

Press Release - LookUp Partners with Indiana System of Care
Partnership Expands Resources for Systems of Care throughout Indiana --The Lutheran Foundation , through their mental health initiative, LookUpIndiana.org (LookUp) has partnered with Indiana System of Care (INSOC) to provide online resources to support Systems of Care in all 92 Indiana counties.  Through the new My Community area of the LookUp website, users can ... Read More
Read Post
03/29/2018

"It ain't weak to speak." Emmanuel Lutheran Church Chooses to SpeakUp
“It ain’t weak to speak.” A man broadcast this message on his t-shirt as he spoke about mental wellness. Members of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in downtown Fort Wayne agree – speaking about mental wellness is not weak, rather it takes great strength. As part of an 8-part series on the church and mental wellness, Emmanuel hosted a pastor and a lay ... Read More
Read Post
03/26/2018

The First Ever Rally to Prevent Suicide - April 21, 2018
The National Council for Suicide Prevention along with numerous behavioral health, military and veterans organizations invite you to stand on the steps of the US Capitol and send a message to Congress that suicide prevention needs to be a priority in the USA. Top leaders in the field of suicide prevention will be speaking along with individuals who have attempted ... Read More
Read Post
03/12/2018

Opioids’ Impact on Indiana Minorities – A Conversation
Indiana Minority Health Coalition partnered with Side Effects Public Media to hold a town hall style discussion around the Opioid Epidemic and the impact on minorities on February 13, 2018. The discussion was conducted via livestream. Topics covered included pain management, criminal justice response, harm reduction and community perspectives. When a New York ... Read More
Read Post
02/23/2018

It's been 2 years! - Newsletter Winter 2018, Vol. 5
Please join us in a birthday celebration!   On February 23rd, LookUpIndiana.org celebrates year two.  LookUp is a state-wide website focused on mental and behavioral health and wellness, providing information and resources throughout Indiana.  Initially, LookUp was launched as a regional website, serving ten Northeast Indiana counties, but expanded state-wid ... Read More
Read Post
02/14/2018

Indiana Medicaid Makes Getting Addiction Treatment A Little Bit Easier
Effective December 1, 2017,  patients on Indiana’s Healthy Indiana Plan have an easier time getting certain opioid addiction medications. The four insurers that manage plans for Indiana’s Medicaid program, HIP 2.0, are eliminating an administrative hurdle that can cause patients to wait days to receive their prescription, leaving them vulnerable to relapse a ... Read More
Read Post
02/09/2018

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week - February 26 - March 4
The National Eating Disorders Association or NEDA is promoting this year's National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, February 26 - March 4, 2018. The theme this year is Let’s Get Real and the goal is to expand the conversation and highlight stories we don’t often hear. Our culture has complicated relationships with food, exercise, and appearance. 30 m ... Read More
Read Post
01/04/2018

Teens Who Use Marijuana and Alcohol Have Less Adult Success
Per HealthDayNews, author Dennis Thompson writes: Teen pot smokers and drinkers struggle to achieve some of the hallmarks of adult success, including obtaining a college degree, getting married, holding down a full-time job and earning a good living, the researchers found. "Parents should try to delay their children's onset of use as much as possible," said ... Read More
Read Post
01/02/2018

CDC Reports Life Expectancy Decreased in the United States Second Year In a Row... Opioid Epidemic Played a Big Role
The Centers for Disease Control released two new reports last month: the first showing that life expectancy decreased in the United States for the second year in a row; the second, likely the reason for that decrease, showing that more than 63,000 people died of a drug overdose in 2016, a 21% increase over 2015. Indiana's drug poisoning (overdose) death rates ... Read More
Read Post
12/21/2017

Navigating Change at the Holidays - Newsletter Winter 2017, Vol. 4
It is the holiday season, full of joyful experiences and...well... not-so-joyous ones.  We all have expectations of what our holiday experience should be, and when a change comes into our lives and disrupts our expectations it can lead to less-than-joyous feelings. The old adage "the only thing constant is change" seems to be especially obvious during the ... Read More
Read Post
12/12/2017

How to Find Support Groups on Look Up
Did you know you can search for Support Groups near you simply by entering your zip code into the Find Help page on Look Up? Go to "Find Help"  at the top of the home page. Enter in your city or zip code in the white text box and then click the Find Help button. Scroll down to see the providers near you.  Click on the left hand navigation bar to sele ... Read More
Read Post
11/29/2017

A Pharmacist's Journey Through Addiction
"I am an addict. And for the past 15 years, I had deceived myself into thinking it was impossible for me to be an addict, because I'm a pharmacist.  And who knows more about these medications than I do? I can taper myself off or I can stop anytime I want...  It's fun at the beginning, but then you just become enslaved to it." Jake Nichols, Pharm. D., MBA In t ... Read More
Read Post
11/29/2017

Changes to HIP: Removing Hurdles for Opioid Addiction Medications
Public Health Message from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health Date:  November 28, 2017 Topic:  Prior Authorization for Suboxone Pills and the Bridge Starting Dec. 1, patients on Indiana’s Healthy Indiana Plan will have an easier time getting certain opioid addiction medications. The four insurers that manage plans for Indiana’s Medica ... Read More
Read Post
11/13/2017

Tips for Managing the Holiday Blues
  By Laura Greenstein (reprinted by NAMI) Many people can experience feelings of anxiety or depression during the holiday season. People who already live with a mental health condition should take extra care to tend to their overall health and wellness during this time. Extra stress, unrealistic expectations or even sentimental memories that accompa ... Read More
Read Post
11/13/2017

New! Faith Community Topic Page - The Church has a Role in Mental Health
Mental illness is not the result of a weak faith or lack of spiritual willpower. The church has an important role in removing the stigma and creating HOPE for mental health.  Church is often the first place people turn to for help with a mental or behavioral struggle. Yet, many faith leaders don't talk about mental illness in church sermons or large group ... Read More
Read Post
10/31/2017

Podcast on Faith & Family - Informed Congregations on Mental Health
KFUO Radio’s Faith & Family program featured guests The Reverend Dennis Goff, Director of Ministry Programs for the Lutheran Foundation in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Laura Hoffman, MSW, LCSW, LCAC, Clinical Director for Lutheran Social Services of Indiana in Fort Wayne, Indiana, talk about the upcoming SpeakUp Conference being held in Fort Wayne on Novemb ... Read More
Read Post
10/26/2017

IU Grand Challenge: Responding to the Addictions Crisis
Indiana University is leading the fight to curb a statewide epidemic.  Exhaustive research and reporting have detailed the scope of substance abuse in Indiana. The evidence is clear: addiction in Indiana is an urgent problem. Facing mounting evidence of a growing addictions crisis, the Governor’s office published a strategic plan, calling upon leaders ... Read More
Read Post
10/24/2017

Self-Harm on the Rise Among Teen Girls. Signs of Self-Harm and What to Do.
Self-Harm on the Rise Among Teen Girls. Teen girls are much more likely to self-harm than boys, and the dangerous practice is on the rise. That's the conclusion of a new British study that also found a strong link between self-harm -- practices such as cutting or burning oneself -- and a higher risk of suicide. Researchers reviewed information from n ... Read More
Read Post
10/18/2017

Even a Little Movement Can Help Prevent Depression
In a recent newsletter by Dr. Ann Kulze, she reports even small doses of movement appear to ward off the blues. In the largest and most extensive study* to date, researchers concluded that regular exercise, of any variety, for as little as one hour cumulative, a week can help prevent depression. For this landmark study, researchers monitored the exercise pa ... Read More
Read Post
10/17/2017

Revised Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Using Urine Now Includes Four Types of Opioids
The revised federal mandatory guidelines for workplace drug testing were effective on October 1, 2017, and include the authority to test for four semi-synthetic opioids: oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone. These are prescription opioid pain medications commonly known as OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, Dilaudid, etc. These four prescription pa ... Read More
Read Post
10/10/2017

World Mental Health Day 2017 - "Mental Health in the Workplace"
This is the 25th anniversary of World Mental Health Day.  The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) is an international membership organization founded in 1948 to advance, among all peoples and nations, the prevention of mental and emotional disorders, the proper treatment and care of those with such disorders, and the promotion of mental health. This year ... Read More
Read Post
10/10/2017

Drug Overdose Prevention Information for Indiana
Per the Indiana State Department of Health, here are some updates about the prescription drug epidemic in Indiana. Governor Holcomb introduced Indiana’s Next Level Recovery website to allow an entry point for all state resources to fight the opioid epidemic. The information and resources cover a wide variety of topics including prevention, treatment, enfor ... Read More
Read Post
10/10/2017

Indiana University Invests in Fighting Opioid Abuse
Indiana University officials joined Governor Holcomb at the Statehouse today to announce a new effort funded by $50 million in university money to fight opioid abuse. Per the Associated Press: Indiana residents are more likely to die from a drug overdose than they are a car crash. That statistic was offered by Indiana University officials Octobe ... Read More
Read Post
10/09/2017

The Church and Mental Health: Interview with The Reverend Dr. Dennis Goff
October is Clergy Appreciation Month.  In their professional roles, clergy frequently negotiate highly stressful situations, and that can take a personal toll. Researchers have found clergy can experience high rates of depression and anxiety. Please take time to appreciate your faith leader today and let him/her know that LookUpIndiana.org has resources avail ... Read More
Read Post
10/04/2017

Drug "Poisoning" More Accurate Than "Overdose"
The Fort Wayne Police Department Vice & Narcotics Department has changed terminology in reporting on the opioid crisis.   Specifically, changing the label "overdose" to "poisoning." A recent article from CBC news states, "Poisoning" is a technically accurate diagnostic term for what's happening inside the body. Meanwhile, the word "overdose," meaning "to ... Read More
Read Post
10/03/2017

Talking to Your Children About a Tragedy
I've found myself extra sensitive to the media reports the last few days following the Las Vegas tragedy.  You see, at the ages of 5 and 3, my little girls don't understand death, let alone a mass shooting.  I don't want them to hear the reports.  It seems "too soon" to expose them to such horror.  As a parent, we want to shelter their hearts and minds.  The ... Read More
Read Post
09/29/2017

Sharing LookUp with the Indiana District Teachers Conference
The 2017 Indiana District Lutheran Teachers Conference was held September 28 and 29th at Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne.  We had the opportunity to share Look Up and educate teachers on the upcoming Resources page on Look Up which will include a School Mental Health Initiative.  This resource will be available early 2018! [caption id="attachme ... Read More
Read Post
09/28/2017

Candid Conversation with Judge Charles Pratt: A Look at Trauma
We sat down with The Honorable Charles Pratt.  Judge Pratt serves in the Family Relations Division of the Allen Superior Court.  He has been instrumental in multiple court practice reforms.  In 1999, Judge Pratt established Allen County’s positive youth development initiative, Great KIDS make Great COMMUNITIES. Great KIDS provides on-going training and resea ... Read More
Read Post
09/27/2017

McMillen Health Develops Free Parent Handout on Opioids
A new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics shows a significant rise in the number of children visiting the emergency room who are diagnosed with a dependency on opioids.  The study defined opioid dependence as dependence on either a prescription opioid or an illegal opioid, such as heroin.  The numbers rose from 32,235 in 2008 to 49,626 in 2013. "It w ... Read More
Read Post
09/22/2017

A chat on the opioid crisis and more on WPTA21's INsight
Some local experts and advocates share their insights on the opioid crisis, the Regional Mental Health Coalition, and more on these four interviews on WPTA21. Part 1 Kristina Johnson and Dr. Deborah McMahan : Regional Mental Health Coalition and a medical focus on the opioid crisis. Part 2 Kristina Johnson and Captain Kevin Hunter : Opioid crisis and reso ... Read More
Read Post
09/20/2017

Free Training: Equipping Youth Workers to Approach the Topic of Suicide
When: September 28, 2017 8:30 am - 10:00 am “13 Reasons Why” is a book and Netflix series that has brought teen suicide to the spotlight. Some would say that “13 Reasons Why” and other shows and books on this topic have brought glory to suicide, therefore making self-harm and suicidal thoughts “trendy.” It is important to recognize the fact th ... Read More
Read Post
09/15/2017

Photos and Video from Overdose Awareness Day
The community came together on August 31, 2017 for the first Healing Our Community with Hope: International Overdose Awareness Day hosted by The Lutheran Foundation. Opioid dependence– in the form of prescription pain medications, methadone, opium and heroin – is a growing problem that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It’s time to stop the e ... Read More
Read Post
09/12/2017

Do it for Daniel
"Stopping Stigma Starts With You." An all-state athlete from Ishpeming High School in rural Ishpeming, Michigan, Daniel was an overachiever and all around great guy who loved to help people. He was devoted to his family and friends, and was a beloved member of the community.  On July 19, 2012, Daniel Olson ended his life after a lengthy battle with depressi ... Read More
Read Post
09/12/2017

National Suicide Prevention Week
In the United States, one person dies by suicide every 11 minutes. It's National Suicide Prevention Week and there are local events every day this week you can be a part of including a Suicide Loss Survivor Candlelight Ceremony, Suicide Education and Death Notification for First Responders, Training, and more.  Details on our events page. "Take a Minute. Change ... Read More
Read Post
09/08/2017

Remedy Live and Look Up Indiana Help with Mental Health
INsight on ABC WPTA21 talked with Clinton Faupel of Remedy LIVE and Kristina Johnson of The Lutheran Foundation about mental health help and LookUP! "We want to make it famous to talk about mental health." -Clinton Faupel Catch the LookUp INSight interview here and the RemedyLIVe interview here!   ... Read More
Read Post
08/31/2017

Today is Overdose Awareness Day - Join Us for the Walk and Vigil!
Preparations are underway for tonight's Overdose Awareness Day-Healing Our Community With Hope: Walk & Vigil. Write your loved one's name or a memory on a balloon to release. Grab a free wristband or T-shirt to wear in support of #EndOverdose. Look Up for HOPE! Thank you to the news stations that have helped share this event! You can catch the clips h ... Read More
Read Post
08/25/2017

Andrea's Story
Andrea's daughter, Miriah, died from a heroin overdose just 5 months after her first use of the drug. “They don’t just wake up one morning and say ‘I’m gonna be an addict.’ They were all more than just that.” Hear Andrea share her story and her message of hope. Opioid dependence – in the form of prescription pain medications, methadone, ... Read More
Read Post
08/23/2017

Survey: Perceptions on Mental Illness and Substance Abuse
(function(t,e,n,o){var s,c,i;t.SMCX=t.SMCX||[],e.getElementById(o)||(s=e.getElementsByTagName(n),c=s[s.length-1],i=e.createElement(n),i.type="text/javascript",i.async=!0,i.id=o,i.src=["https:"===location.protocol?"https://":"http://","widget.surveymonkey.com/collect/website/js/WD_2FU0htGHYUnF20JtUb_2Bg8uzp6iQknRSbJjUKDhy4_2F2rbIzbRqo8Vv6LhCi8BYl3.js"].join(""),c. ... Read More
Read Post
08/18/2017

Fort Wayne Drug Overdose Statistics
Captain Kevin Hunter, Fort Wayne Police Department, Vice and Narcotics Division shared the following drug overdose statistics for Fort Wayne/Allen County, Indiana.  A scary upward trend. Drug Overdoses January 2016—51 Overdoses                     January 2017—104 Overdoses February 2016—39 Overdoses                ... Read More
Read Post
08/15/2017

International Overdose Awareness Day - August 31, 2017
Communities across the world will come together on August 31, 2017 for “International Overdose Awareness Day.”  The purpose is to raise awareness, break the stigma, celebrate recovery and remember those we have loved and lost.  This tragedy is preventable! “Allen County continues to feel the impact of the opioid crisis, “said Allen County Health Comm ... Read More
Read Post
08/15/2017

Addiction treatment center proposed to fight opioid epidemic
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Park Center would like to rezone a plot of land near Coliseum Boulevard to make way for a new 100-bed addiction treatment facility. The vacant building sits at 2827 Rupp Drive and was once the home of a Verizon office. The idea evolved from the Governor’s Task Force on Drug Enforcement, Treatment and Prevention, created by former ... Read More
Read Post
08/02/2017

"Spice" Overdoses Increasing
"Spice" is a synthetic drug created using man-made chemicals. Because the chemicals used constantly change, users have no way of knowing the contents. A dangerous scenario.  Recently, there has been an increase in spice overdoses. Per Captain Kevin Hunter, of Fort Wayne Police Department's Vice and Narcotics Division, “It is as dangerous as heroin is,” ... Read More
Read Post
08/01/2017

Thinking Out Loud - How One Church Is Doing Mental Health Ministry
We recently sat down with Janet Jordan Altmeyer, Director of City Ministry at Trinity English Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  This summer, Trinity  published  "Thinking Out Loud...About Stories We Don't Tell", an issue focused on mental health.  Janet shares why her church is focusing on mental health education and how they've been starting the conv ... Read More
Read Post
07/14/2017

An Interview with Chris Cross the Nation
As we "Start the Conversation and Silence the Stigma" surrounding mental health, we will begin highlighting people and organizations that do just that! We recently found out about Chris. A Fort Wayne, Indiana native, Chris will be running across the country to raise awareness about drug and alcohol addiction.  We recently sat down with Chris just days before his ... Read More
Read Post
07/10/2017

Goal of nation's first opioid court: Keep users alive
Courts are increasingly trying new measures to address the opioid epidemic.  Traditional methods of sentencing , jail time, and convictions aren't effective when dealing with addictions.  Buffalo, NY, is experimenting with the nation's first opioid crisis intervention court. By Carolyn Thompson, Associated Press  BUFFALO, N.Y. — Jul 9, 2017, 10:57 AM ET ... Read More
Read Post
07/05/2017

Indiana adding 5 sites for opioid addiction treatment
In an attempt to help more people with drug addictions, Indiana will start covering methadone treatment for those on Medicaid and has added five centers to its list of treatment providers.  Read the local story here. The five new opioid treatment programs are in counties with the highest rates of use of naloxone, a drug that can reverse an overdose. The stat ... Read More
Read Post
07/05/2017

Grief and the Holidays
Like many Americans, you may have spent time this summer celebrating Memorial Day or the 4th of July with family and friends. Fireworks. Barbecues. Lake days. Watermelon. Laughter. And like many of us, your laughter may have been accompanied by some grief. Grieving the traditions you used to share with a loved one who is no longer present. Watching others ... Read More
Read Post
06/26/2017

Asking Myself “Why?”
Louise lost her husband to suicide 3 years ago.  Though her story was forever changed on that day, her life continues.  She’s able to find the good in simple things, like nature, and a beautiful sunny day. “Today was just a glorious June day with various shades of green from full blooming trees against a bright blue clear sky. It was a day in my mind which ... Read More
Read Post
06/22/2017

Report from the Allen County Opiate Task Force
The current opioid epidemic is the biggest public health crisis we have seen. Drug overdose deaths are the leading cause of injury death in the United States and Allen County is not immune. The biggest HIV and Hepatitis C epidemic in the nation occurred in Scott County in Indiana as a result of shared needles during IV drug use, and the full effects of that recen ... Read More
Read Post
06/19/2017

“Getting arrested saved my life!”
Arresting drug users proves beneficial in saving lives. INDIANAPOLIS – Clad in their Dearborn County Jail attire and under guard, four inmates participating in a Jail Chemical Addictions Program (JCAP) made presentations Wednesday to the Indiana Attorney General's Public Safety Coalition (PSC). The four men, along with two ex-offender graduates of the progra ... Read More
Read Post
06/18/2017

A Story About My Hero
A local pastor shares a moving story about his personal hero: You never grow too old to want or need a hero.  Let me tell you a story about mine . . . Caleb, age 21, works as a cart pusher at Meijer.   He never misses work and always insists on being early.   He is a devoted Star Trek fan.  His loves his niece and nephews wholeheartedly.  He updates ... Read More
Read Post
06/17/2017

Remember Who You Are - A Father's Advice
A local pastor reflects on some advice, both given and received: Several years ago, while pastoring a church in Florida, I remember a conversation I had with our church’s youth minister.  Maybe we were talking about youth in general, or maybe I was talking about my own two teenagers.  But whatever we were talking about, the youth minister shared the story ... Read More
Read Post
06/14/2017

Working Through Trauma: Understanding PTSD
PTSD (or post-traumatic stress disorder) has received a good amount of press as it relates to the experience of some veterans. But what’s missing from the headlines is the fact that this mental health issue can affect a much wider population. June is National PTSD Awareness Month, so it seems appropriate to dig into this topic a little deeper. So, what exact ... Read More
Read Post
06/14/2017

Trauma-Informed Communities
Establishing and integrating a trauma-informed approach to addressing mental and substance use disorders is important not only for individuals, but for communities as well. To further this goal, SAMHSA recently published Spotlight: Building Resilient and Trauma-Informed Communities, a series that highlights efforts underway in six different cities across the Unit ... Read More
Read Post
06/09/2017

Drug Overdose Rates on the Rise
Per Captain Kevin Hunter, Fort Wayne Police Department, Vice and Narcotics Division, there have been a total of 468 drug overdose cases in 2017 (January through May) in Fort Wayne/Allen County.  In 2016, there were 267 cases during this same period.   That is an increase of 201 cases!! If you are struggling with addiction (substance use disorder), or have ... Read More
Read Post
05/30/2017

Opioid-free Painkiller Could Help America's Drug Abuse Crisis
Exparel is a long-lasting, non-narcotic pain control medicine.  This is good news for those patients with a pending surgery who are concerned about their pain during recovery and want to avoid opioids.  Prescription pain medicines often pave the way for an opioid addiction.  Many Americans are first introduced to an opioid following a routine surgery.   The ... Read More
Read Post
05/25/2017

Acryl Fentanyl - Resistant to Overdose Reversal Drug (Narcan)
  Per Megan Fisher, Director of Addictions Services at the Otis R. Bowen Center, "A new version of Fentanyl, called Acryl Fentanyl, has been identified in several states and is causing increased concern for opioid overdose potential.  Declared the cause of multiple deaths in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, Acryl Fentanyl comes in a powder form that ... Read More
Read Post
05/25/2017

Managing Emotions Following A Tragedy
The Jed Foundation  recently addressed managing our emotions following a tragedy such as the one in Manchester earlier this week: "You don’t need to personally know a victim, live in Manchester or be a fan of the artist to feel the impact of this horrific event. Given the relentless media coverage and the randomness of this tragedy, it is understandable tha ... Read More
Read Post
05/22/2017

Suicide Prevention and For Survivors of Suicide Toolkits
STOP Suicide Northeast Indiana has two resource guides, or toolkits, intended to help individuals and families who have been affected by suicide. After a suicide attempt or loss, families are often left with little information about resources available to them after such a life-changing experience. Our hope is that these toolkits will be able to help individua ... Read More
Read Post
05/19/2017

Being a Student-Athlete and Living with Mental Illness: Speaking Out
"I am so sick of feeling alone and helpless. Mental illness is not something you should be ashamed of but breaking down that stigma starts with us, the student-athletes. We can change the culture and make it easier for our friends and teammates to get the help that they need." ~Lanesha Reagan On January 3, 2017, Oregon State volleyball star, Lanesha Reagan, ... Read More
Read Post
05/12/2017

Dear Mom, You are Not Alone With Your Struggles
Being a mom offers women countless moments of joy.  There can also be many moments of worry, sadness, and feelings of inadequacy.  When a mom is surrounded with a strong network of supporters, reinforcements are readily available.  But, many moms do not have a strong network, and they feel very alone.  Even moms with strong supporters may be afraid to share t ... Read More
Read Post
05/12/2017

When You're Not a Mother on Mother's Day
We celebrate Mother's Day for many reasons. An obvious reason being, we've all had a mother.  They've given us life.  What a beautiful gift!  Yet, it doesn't remain that simple, does it?  Mother's Day can pull on some emotional scars for those who have relationship struggles with their mother, for those whose mothers are no longer living, and for those wh ... Read More
Read Post
05/09/2017

Catalyst for Change - Investing in Mental Health
May is National Mental Health month and The Lutheran Foundation and Look Up is grateful to Business People Magazine for sharing information about mental health and doing a feature article and front cover on our initiative! “We need to break down the barriers that are preventing people from receiving the mental health care they need.” - Kristina Johnson, ... Read More
Read Post
05/08/2017

WANE-TV Highlights Mental Health Awareness and Netflix Documentary
Kristina Johnson, Colleen Carpenter, and Clinton Faupel discussed mental health awareness month and the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why on WANE-TV this past weekend.  Catch the replay here: http://wane.com/2017/05/06/netflix-documentary-draws-attention-to-mental-health-and-teen-suicide/ By wanesaraschaefer Published: May 6, 2017, 10:19 am  "FORT WAYNE, I ... Read More
Read Post
05/03/2017

"13 Reasons Why" - Talking Points
Concerns about 13 Reasons Why As many of you may know, the new Netflix series called 13 Reasons Why which depicts a young person's suicide, is the new 'hottest' show for some groups of young people. There are concerns about the way suicide is portrayed (stigmatized, inevitable, failure of helpers) and also that it could trigger those ... Read More
Read Post
05/02/2017

National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
May is Children's Mental Health Awareness Month.  The National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day is Thursday, May 4th. Awareness Day 2017’s national focus is on the importance of integrating behavioral health and primary care for children, youth, and young adults with mental and/or substance use disorders. The 2017 national theme is “Partnering for H ... Read More
Read Post
04/24/2017

Child Abuse Awareness
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, a time to reflect on our responsibility in the recognition and support for those that are affected by child abuse and neglect.  The traditional adage of, “It takes a village to raise a family” is so paramount in our responsibility to this social issue.  So this month, it is a CALL TO ACTION for all of us to recognize, s ... Read More
Read Post
04/20/2017

The Impact of Trauma on Mental Health
Bad things happen.  We all know this because we all experience life.  But what happens when they occur in our childhood?  When they aren’t just bad, but traumatic?  When they shake us to our core and make us question the world we live in?  Those bad things are called trauma, and trauma can have an immense and lasting impact on our mental health. Childho ... Read More
Read Post
04/19/2017

Opening of the NEAT Clinic (Naloxone Education, Access & Training Clinic)
OVERDOSE.  This is a scary reality for more and more in our community. Per the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health, we have experienced a significant increase in the number of opioid overdoses in the last few months: January-March 2016: 141 Overdoses January-March 2017: 259 Overdoses In response and to improve access to naloxone, the Departme ... Read More
Read Post
04/17/2017

Effects of Methamphetamine Use on Children, Families and Communities
According to the 2016 KIDS COUNT® in Indiana Data Book, substance use disrupts brain function in critical areas and therefore can interfere with learning as well as contribute to behavioral problems and family conflicts. Methamphetamine is a highly addictive, physically damaging drug, but it is very simple to make in a clandestine lab setting. According to In ... Read More
Read Post
04/03/2017

Needle Exchange Showing Success
[caption id="attachment_3006" align="alignleft" width="706"] Dr. Deborah McMahan[/caption] In January, we posted about the new Syringe Services Program open in Allen County.  (Read post here: https://lookupindiana.org/syringe-services-program-now-open/).  Three months later, Health Commissioner Dr. Deborah McMahan gives an update in an interview with The J ... Read More
Read Post
04/03/2017

Safer Ways to Ease Pain
Dr. Daniel Roth, a member of the Leadership Council of the Regional Mental Health Coalition, was recently interviewed by The Journal Gazette.  This article provides education on alternatives to pills for pain management.  Dr. Roth wants all to know that managing acute and/or chronic pain isn't via opioids only. “Opioids aren't altogether bad – they' ... Read More
Read Post
04/03/2017

Cheers to the Fort Wayne Police Department
"CHEERS to the Fort Wayne Police Department's Vice and Narcotics Bureau for its aggressive fight against drugs in our community." This accolade for the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) was posted in The Journal Gazette on April 1, 2017.  FWPD Captain Kevin Hunter is a a member of the Leadership Council of the Regional Mental Health Coalition.  The Coali ... Read More
Read Post
03/30/2017

Tips for a Healthy & Safe Vacation
Parents: Talking with kids about safety before Spring Break vacation is vital Tips for a healthy & safe vacation Great advice from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health! Spring Break is right around the corner for many students and naturally some plan on getting away from home.  Spring break can often be the first vacation a teen or y ... Read More
Read Post
03/23/2017

Helping Children Cope with Unsettling News
    You've heard the headlines.  They can be scary and unsettling for adults.  Do you ever wonder how this sort of news affects your children and how you should respond?  A few new articles have recently been posted on our "For Parents" topics page including one on this very subject, "Helping Children Cope with Unsettling News." "As a parent, ... Read More
Read Post
03/14/2017

Remember Allison's story? It's been a week!
It’s been a week since Allison Schmitt (eight-time Olympic swimming medalist) shared her story about mental health and depression at the Healing Our Community with Hope – Part 2 event.  On March 7, 2017, nearly 1,000 people gathered to hear Allison explain why, “It’s okay to ask for help.” Before the keynote session, Clinton Faupel from Remedy L ... Read More
Read Post
03/06/2017

We're getting some press! Starting the conversation about mental health.
Wane TV recently featured our Healing our Community with Hope: Part 2 event on the local news!  Catch the clip here. Local newspaper, The Journal Gazette, also featured the event.  Read it here. Both pieces included interviews with eight-time Olympic swimming medalist Allison Schmitt about her experience with depression.  She's joining us on March 7th to ... Read More
Read Post
02/24/2017

Register Today!
Still time! Meet U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Allison Schmitt on March 7th. She'll share her story and why it's OK to ask for help. Don't delay, register for this FREE event today!   ... Read More
Read Post
02/15/2017

Enhanced Search Results - Easier to Find the Help you Want!
The "FIND HELP" section of LookUpIndiana.org now has better search functionality.  You can narrow results to find specialists in addictions counseling, medication assisted treatment, and faith-based counseling along with general counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. In addition, we are now listing support groups of many kinds! All of your search re ... Read More
Read Post
02/09/2017

YOU Can Prevent Suicide
Colleen Carpenter, a Fort Wayne-based Trainer and Consultant on suicide prevention shared with us how we can all help prevent suicide. Why do some people die by suicide? Often it is a combination of hopelessness and helplessness. People thinking of suicide may feel like they are in situations that have no solutions. Sometimes they feel like they have no contr ... Read More
Read Post
02/08/2017

14 Things to Never Say to Someone with Depression
It can be difficult watching a loved one or friend struggle with depression.  But, did you know that even with well-meaning and loving intentions you could be saying the wrong things, possibly making things worse?  To read this article, and more, go to Look Up's topics tab on the main screen, and then select depression.  Or, you can click on this link.. ... Read More
Read Post
02/06/2017

Removing the Stigma from Mental Illness
“There is help. There is hope." Fort Wayne Business People Magazine recently did a feature article highlighting the importance of working to remove the stigma of mental illness.  Billions of dollars are lost every year by American companies affected by mental illness.  Kristina Johnson, Director of Community Initiatives for The Lutheran Foundation, says talk ... Read More
Read Post
02/06/2017

Look Up Highlighted in Opioid Series on WBCL
In a three part series "Opioid Crisis: There is Hope" involving interviews with Allen County Health Commissioner, Dr. Deborah McMahan, Dr. Greg Eigner, Fort Wayne Medical Education Program, and Kristina Johnson, The Lutheran Foundation, WBCL's Larry Bower discusses the opioid crisis.  Each audio segment, lasting about a minute and a half each, offers insight int ... Read More
Read Post
02/02/2017

Teen Stress 101
We all experience stress and anxiety to some extent. Stress can be positive and negative. It can be our body's way of rising to a challenge and preparing to meet a tough situation.  It can also cause negative physical, mental and behavioral changes.  Helping youth navigate the stressful teen years is important to their healthy development.   The RespectTe ... Read More
Read Post
01/31/2017

Attention Parents! Do you know what mobile apps your kids are using?
In the ever-changing world of technology, it can be hard to keep up.  Did you know that human trafficking is happening in your city right now?  Did you know that mobile apps play a huge role?This workshop will help you better understand current mobile apps and how to protect the teens in your life.  You don't know what you don't know!  So come find out. ... Read More
Read Post
01/30/2017

Look Up Highlighted in Indiana Nurses Publication
In the latest edition of The Bulletin, a publication offered by the Indiana State Nurses Association and the Indiana Nurses Foundation, Look Up is highlighted on page 9 of this publication.  Co-authored by Dr. Mindy Yoder, Dean of Health Sciences with The University of Saint Francis and Kristina Johnson, Director of Community Initiatives at The Lutheran Foundat ... Read More
Read Post
01/25/2017

Senate Committee Passes 2 Drug-Related Bills
Per The Herald Bulletin, two bills authored by state Sen. James Merritt pertaining to the opioid epidemic in the state were passed through the Indiana Senate Committee on Monday. Merritt, R-Indianapolis, said the bills are two of many that will be proposed as a way to combat the current crisis that Indiana faces. “This is one of 19 bills this year that of ... Read More
Read Post
01/23/2017

Governor Holcomb Introduces New Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment, and Enforcement
Jim McClelland is the state's first executive director for drug prevention, treatment, and enforcement.  Per a news report from FOX59, McClelland retired in 2015 as the CEO of Goodwill Industries of central Indiana after 41 years.  In his new role, McClelland will serve as the chairman of Indiana's Commission to Combat Drug Abuse, coordinate and direct the drug ... Read More
Read Post
01/18/2017

Syringe Services Program Now Open
The Allen County Syringe Services Program (SSP) is an anonymous syringe services program located in Allen County, Indiana, grounded in harm reduction and evidence-based principles. The Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health alongside Positive Resource Connection and Park Center operate the SSP. The main goal of the SSP is to prevent the spread of HI ... Read More
Read Post
01/18/2017

Help Make Hope
"After going though years of doctors suggesting that I should be admitted to Parkview Behavioral Health (PBH), the only thing keeping me from getting the help I really needed, was FEAR. I was scared to go through those doors. I was scared at what was beyond them. Now, after being admitted to PBH last year, I realized that this place was nothing to be scared o ... Read More
Read Post
01/03/2017

For Parents: How to Prevent Drug Use at Every Age
Talking to our children about drug use can be difficult.  Talking to them in a way they better understand is important.  Age can be a huge factor. We just posted this article, provided by Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, on the "For Parents" topic page on Look Up.   This article includes tips and what to say at various age categories, and includes short videos ... Read More
Read Post
12/13/2016

President Obama Signing 21st Century Cures Act Today. Watch Live at 2:00 p.m.
We thought you might be interested in watching President Obama sign the 21st Century Cures Act, which contains $1 billion to fight the opioid misuse and overdose epidemic, today at 2 pm. The $6.3 billion bill, which overwhelmingly passed in both the Senate and House, also contains funding for scientific research specifically targeting Alzheimer's and cancer. ... Read More
Read Post
12/01/2016

House Passes Health Bill with $1 Billion Set Aside to Combat Opioid Misuse
  The House yesterday passed a $4.8 billion healthcare bill, the 21st Century Cures Act, that has $1 billion earmarked to fight the opioid misuse crisis. The bill, which saw bi-partisan support, is now headed to the Senate. If passed by both houses and signed by the president, the National Institutes of Health will receive the funding over the next ... Read More
Read Post
11/30/2016

Obama Administration Marks Progress in Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Treatment, Recovery, and Research
President Obama made health care reform a reality for America.  He also recognized that substance use disorders are a critical public health issue. Today at the White House, Administration officials and other leaders from across the country highlighted the progress that has been made over the past eight years in substance use disorder prevention, treatment, re ... Read More
Read Post
11/28/2016

Allen County Health Commissioner, Dr. Deb McMahan, offers an in-depth history of the opioid addiction epidemic
  Per the Surgeon General, more people use prescription opioids than use tobacco and there are more people with substance abuse disorders than people with cancer.  How in the world did we get here?  Our current opioid epidemic started a decade ago at which time a medical study revealed that physicians were not adequately controlling pain in terminal ... Read More
Read Post
11/22/2016

Did you miss it? Catch a replay of the local PBS special, 'Finding the Fix.'
On Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, our community came together to address various aspects of the opioid crisis in northeast Indiana, including the scope of the problem, how addiction starts, treatment, and showcasing addiction recovery is possible.    The local Fort Wayne PBS39 television station featured an hour-long special, ‘Finding the Fix’, followed by a liv ... Read More
Read Post
11/10/2016

Special Opioid Crisis Call-In Show to be Featured on PBS39 - November 17th
On Thursday, Nov. 17 at 8 p.m., the local Fort Wayne PBS39 television station will feature an hour-long special, ‘Finding the Fix’, followed by an hour-long live call-in show titled, ‘The Opioid Crisis: Healing our Community with Hope’. The Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health and PBS39 announced the live broadcast today. Thanks to generous co ... Read More
Read Post
11/07/2016

Opioid Epidemic Spotlighted in Allen County
With the heroin crisis being called the worst health epidemic we have in Allen County, several experts came together recently to address the problems and educate the public.  The interactive, hands-on, media event was well received. Check out the media coverage in the links below! NewsChannel 15: http://wane.com/2016/10/27/opioid-epidemic-spotlighted-in- ... Read More
Read Post
10/26/2016

Look Up has a new look!
Launched in February 2016, Look Up now has a new look….and more robust capabilities.  You'll find more resources, more education, and more hope.  Visit again to see more changes to come! ... Read More
Read Post
04/07/2016

Combatting Opioid Over-Prescription
Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind. recently joined with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy to outline a plan to reduce the over-prescription of opioid painkillers. Murthy notes that across the country, people are given painkillers to recover from surgery – but often in quantities and strengths that can lead to unintentional addiction. The recent HIV outbreak in so ... Read More
Read Post
04/06/2016

Indiana Bill Gives People Access to an Overdose Intervention Tool
For many families, the drug Nalaxone (brand name Narcan) is something of a miracle. The drug has the power to reverse heroin and opioid overdoses if administered instantly to someone who is overdosing. Indiana’s first responders started carrying the drug in March 2014. Within the first year, they were able to save nearly 100 lives by intervening with Nalaxone. ... Read More
Read Post
04/06/2016

Messages of Hope
"Hope is knowing life will have highs and lows, but it's in the living and sharing with others where I grow as a person.  Being all alone is not an option; I need my community for support and encouragement.  I know I have roles to fill.  Hope is investing in the future, not knowing the outcomes, but still doing my best to fill in my unique identity." ... Read More
Read Post
04/06/2016

Drowning in a Sea of Alcoholism
"I found myself drowning in a raging sea of alcoholism and I didn't even know how I got there.  I had tried to be successful, and yet my life was barely worth living.  I hit a wall and could go no further.  Alcoholics Anonymous found me surrendered and willing.  They taught me how to live a life full of joy and purpose.  My life is better than I could have i ... Read More
Read Post
04/06/2016

Welcome to the Look up Blog
Welcome to the Look Up blog. If you’re looking for ways to help our community heal from mental or behavioral health concerns, look here. Each week, we’ll post valuable resources – including interviews with local experts, articles, info about current events, the latest health news, and personal stories from those whose lives have been touched by struggles wi ... Read More
Read Post
Get More!

View Posts By:

Candid Conversations

Learn from northeast Indiana residents and experts as they share their insights on mental and behavioral health issues.

Messages of Hope

Life hurts sometimes. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Read inspiring messages from people who have overcome personal struggles.

What's Up?

Discover current events, recent news and articles related to mental and behavioral health.
 View All

Warning! The image or video you are about to view may contain content that could be triggering. Please view at your own risk.

Watch Video Get me out of here