Michelle Obama's visit leads to $1M investment in mental health of women and girls

Mental health services for women and girls will receive a $1 million boost from the Women's Fund of Central Indiana.

Nearly $300,000 of that money will support the launch of Give an Hour in Indianapolis, a program offering individual mental health counseling for marginalized women and girls.

An additional $750,000 grant that will be awarded to an as-yet-unidentified new mental health initiative, was made possible by money raised from Michelle Obama's appearance here in February.

"Women's Fund has made it a priority to promote conversations about mental health in our community," said executive director Jennifer Pope Baker in a statement. The new initiatives will help more women and girls become healthier and more confident, she said. "We know that strong women strengthen and benefit our entire community." 

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High school girls at risk of depression, study suggests

A 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey suggests that Indiana high-school-aged girls are particularly vulnerable to depression and related mental health issues.

The study found that 39.2 percent of girls felt sad or hopeless (versus 19.8 percent of boys), 20.6 percent of girls were bullied online (versus 11 percent of boys), and 26 percent of girls seriously considered committing suicide (versus 13.7 percent of boys).

Give an Hour is a national organization that uses volunteer professionals to provide free mental health services. The Marion County Public Health Department gave the Women's Fund a $300,000 grant, awarded over three years, to open a local office specifically for women and girls.

Providing more access to care is critical, said Dr. Virginia Caine, director of the Health Department. "Give an Hour is one more very important way for us to reach out and help someone get on the path to a better life." 

Tavonna Askew, an advisory board member and chief of staff for Health and Hospital Corp. of Marion County, said the program "offers hope and healing while dealing with the barriers that can go along with seeking help."

In addition to Give an Hour, the Women's Fund is accepting proposals through Aug. 15 for a $750,000 grant for the next big idea in reaching and supporting girls with mental health issues. 

Find out more at womensfund.org.

Call IndyStar reporter Maureen Gilmer at (317) 444-6879. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter: @MaureenCGilmer.