The Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers (ICCMHC) is excited to share the findings of a new study, conducted by Blue & Co., which showcases the tremendous value and impact that Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) have on individuals, families, and communities across the state of Indiana.
The study reveals a compelling return on investment (ROI), demonstrating that for every dollar spent on community mental health services, there is a significant and measurable benefit to society. These findings highlight the critical role CMHCs and crisis units play in improving mental health outcomes, reducing emergency room visits, preventing costly hospitalizations, major impact on jails, and supporting individuals in living healthier, more fulfilling lives.
LifeSpring Health Systems is the state designated community mental health center in eleven Southern Indiana counties and a Federally Qualified Health Center. LifeSpring serves more than 14,000 clients annually by providinga comprehensive spectrum of behavioral healthcare services. To learn more, visit LifeSpring’s website at www.lifespringhealthsystems.org.
The Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers is dedicated to advocating for and supporting theprovision of quality mental health and substance use services for all Hoosiers. Comprising of community mentalhealth centers across the state, the Council works collaboratively with government entities and stakeholders to ensure accessible and effective mental health care. For more information please visit www.indianacouncil.org.
President and CEO of the local CMHC, LifeSpring Health Systems, Dr. Beth Keeney said, "We have seen locally not only the benefit of having a crisis continuum. When we are brought into a mental health crisis, very often we are able to avoid costly hospitalizations and incarcerations. This ensures people get access to healthcare services at the appropriate level of care when they need it. This also reduces the costs to our community."
The study, which involved a comprehensive analysis of data from CMHCs throughout Indiana, found that these centers are not only essential to mental well-being but also a smart investment in the long-term health of the state’s economy. Key findings from the study include:
• Reduced healthcare costs: Community mental health centers help decrease the need for emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations, reducing overall healthcare spending.
• Crisis services vs. Inpatient hospitalization: Community mental health centers - crisis services have had an annualized savings of $80,867,002. This has been accomplished by providing timely, effective mental health interventions, reducing the need for more costly emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and law enforcement involvement. By focusing on community-based care, including mobile crisis units and 988, Indiana has been able to prevent costly institutional care and ensure individuals in crisis receive the appropriate support, ultimately lowering healthcare and criminal justice system expenses.
• Crisis services vs. Jail: Crisis services in Indiana have saved the state an annualized $45 million in jail services by diverting individuals with mental health crises away from jails
LifeSpring Health Systems is the state designated community mental health center in eleven Southern Indianacounties and a Federally Qualified Health Center. LifeSpring serves more than 14,000 clients annually by providinga comprehensive spectrum of behavioral healthcare services. To learn more, visit LifeSpring’s website at www.lifespringhealthsystems.org.
The Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers is dedicated to advocating for and supporting the provision of quality mental health and substance use services for all Hoosiers. Comprising of community mental health centers across the state, the Council works collaboratively with government entities and stakeholders to ensure accessible and effective mental health care. For more information please visit www.indianacouncil.org. and into appropriate care. Through programs like mobile crisis units and mental health treatment, individuals in need of mental health services receive timely interventions that prevent arrests and reduce the need for incarceration. This approach not only improves outcomes for those in crisis but also lowers the financial burden on the criminal justice system.
• In 2024, LifeSpring’s Crisis Call Center received 1,258 calls and the Mobile Crisis Team deployed 160 times across the 11 counties served by LifeSpring. 187 individuals utilized the Crisis Receiving Stabilization Services, staying for an average of 14 hours at the unit. In many cases this diverted individuals from unneccesary higher levels of care such as jail or the hospital, conserving important resources.
This study serves as an important reminder of the value of prioritizing mental health and investing in the services that make a real difference in people’s lives.