Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch joined other leaders from around the world last Friday, Sept. 20, for a discussion on mental health during Brain Days at The Science Summit, part of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79).
The panel brought together influential state leaders who have spearheaded initiatives in school-based youth mental health support.
The goal of the panel was to explore the journey from conceptualizing support systems to actual implementation, offering attendees actionable insights for applying these ideas in their states. Attendees walked away equipped with strategies to transform big ideas into impactful, sustainable statewide programs.
“It was indeed an honor to be invited to participate in Brain Days during the 79th United Nations General Assembly for my advocacy of Hoosiers fighting mental illness and addiction,” said Crouch, who also serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Joining Crouch on the panel were North Carolina Secretary of Health Kody Kinsley, Colorado Lt. Gov. Diane Primavera, and Chair of House Education Committee (Washington) Sharon Tomiko Santos.
“I am encouraged with what we’re doing in Indiana as evidenced by the General Assembly earmarking historic amounts of funding in the current state budget, $100 million over two years, solely to address the state’s mental health crisis,” Crouch said. “2023’s Senate Enrolled Act 1 allocated funding for various efforts to expand services and bolster local infrastructure across Indiana to better meet the mental health needs of Hoosiers. While we are making progress in supporting those who struggle with mental health challenges, we must do more to fully overcome the crisis at hand. Particularly, we must continue to analyze and address mental health issues in our most vulnerable populations – the youth and aging populations – as well as ensure the mental health industry has a sufficient workforce, capacity and resources to meet current demand.”
Long an advocate for early childhood development, Lt. Gov. Crouch was the co-author of legislation in 2013 that created the On My Way Pre-K Program in 2013 when she was a state representative. The program is now offered in all 92 counties.