This October, we observe National Mental Health Awareness Month and World Mental Health Day (Oct.10.) These designations give us the opportunity to have honest conversations about mental health, while reducing stigma and encouraging those who need support to reach out. At Foster Success, we know just how vital these conversations are, especially for young people who have experienced foster care.
Many of the older foster youth we support suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) because of the abuse and neglect that led to them being placed in foster care and their subsequent experience in foster care. Studies show that 30 percent of foster youth will experience PTSD symptoms, which is twice the rate of U.S. war veterans. When they seek help, they often encounter barriers due to the mental health care provider shortage that affects many of us. In addition, former foster youth encounter even more barriers to receiving mental health support. They often have significant mistrust and internalized mental health stigma due to their experiences in foster care. These roadblocks can leave young people feeling confused, overwhelmed, alone, and without options.
That’s why Foster Success launched the Mental Health Acceptance, Promotion & Support (M.A.P.S.) Initiative with the help of a grant from the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction several years ago. M.A.P.S. was designed to bridge the gap between immediate need and long-term care, while simultaneously working to rebuild trust and destigmatize mental health support. The program provides up to eight free therapy sessions immediately, while also helping young people connect to consistent mental health services that will sustain them long term.
This initiative is more than a program; it’s a lifeline. It offers young people the chance to talk to a therapist today, not months from now. It gives them support while navigating the complex process of finding a provider who can work with them for the long haul. And it ensures they don’t have to face these challenges alone.
M.A.P.S. is available to young people between the ages of 18 and 25 who spent at least one day in foster care in Indiana at or after the age of 14, are not currently connected to a mental health provider, and are seeking to enroll in consistent mental health services. We know there are many more young people in our state who qualify for the program, and we want them to know Foster Success and qualified mental health professionals are here for them.
The truth is, mental health support should not be out of reach. It should not be something young people have to fight for. Young people should not feel ashamed to seek help. Programs like M.A.P.S. are designed to send a clear message: you are not alone, and it is normal to ask for and receive help. Our goal is that young people will view mental health care as they do a visit to their primary care doctor; a normal and necessary part of caring for their well-being.
As we reflect during Mental Health Awareness Month, I encourage all Hoosiers to take time to check in with themselves, with their loved ones, and with the young people in your community. For those who have experienced foster care, know that Foster Success is ready to stand with you, guide you, and connect you to the care you deserve.
Mental health challenges are real. Don’t try to face them alone. Let’s work together to make sure every young person in Indiana knows where to turn when they’re ready to ask for help.