The Department of Mental Health Services serves as an inclusive and affirming resource for all members of the Indiana University School of Medicine community. Through clinical services, programming and outreach, and participation in university initiatives, we promote social justice and challenge prejudice, discrimination and oppression in all its various forms. We provide services that respect and celebrate all aspects of diversity, including but not limited to: ethnic and racial identity, sexual orientation, sexual and gender identity, physical and mental ability, age, national origin, religious identity, socioeconomic status, political ideology, military status, and cultural heritage/values.
Mental Health Services
Access Emergency Help
To access emergency services, go to the nearest emergency room or call 9-1-1. Other 24-hour support is available:
- Mental Health Crisis Line
317-278-HELP (4357) - The LGBTQ+ Trevor Lifeline
866-488-7386 - Crisis Textline
Text CSIS to 85511
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness. Join the Department of Mental Health Services to promote suicide prevention month:
- Use the suicide prevention ribbon as your Zoom profile image, since many of us continue to work from home or have regular Zoom meetings.
- Wear a suicide prevention ribbon throughout the month. Please email Dr. Michael Trexler to obtain one.
- Use the hashtag #BeThe1To, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s message for National Suicide Prevention Month and beyond. This effort shares actions we can all take to prevent suicide. The Lifeline network and its partners are working to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, to actions that can promote healing, help, and give hope.
COVID-19 Update
In response to the continuing COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, the Department of Mental Health Services has shifted to telehealth (via Zoom Health) for all initial and follow up appointments.
Appointments (via Zoom) are available during typical business hours. Email will be monitored as usual and calls will go to a voicemail box checked regularly throughout the business day. We will reply to emails and calls within one business day. If you have an appointment, you will receive a Zoom invitation that includes a link to log into your appointment and instructions for downloading the Zoom app to either your phone or computer.
If you have an urgent matter, please contact the 24-hour IU School of Medicine crisis line at 317-278-HELP (4357) to reach a licensed mental health clinician.
Appointments (via Zoom) are available during typical business hours. Email will be monitored as usual and calls will go to a voicemail box checked regularly throughout the business day. We will reply to emails and calls within one business day. If you have an appointment, you will receive a Zoom invitation that includes a link to log into your appointment and instructions for downloading the Zoom app to either your phone or computer.
If you have an urgent matter, please contact the 24-hour IU School of Medicine crisis line at 317-278-HELP (4357) to reach a licensed mental health clinician.
Mental Health Services for Students, Residents and Fellows
All IU School of Medicine students, residents and fellows seeking mental health or personal counseling services—for any reason—can access resources for confidential personal consultation and treatment on every IU School of Medicine campus. Medical students, resident physicians and fellows are encouraged to seek professional mental health services if symptoms are interfering with medical training and/or personal or professional relationships.
- Mental health services are a confidential resource in accordance with state laws and ethical guidelines.
- Medical records are maintained in an EMR that is separate from hospital and clinic EMRs and cannot be accessed by faculty, staff, administrators, or medical trainees. A release of information is required for sharing of patient health information.
- All individuals are treated with respect regardless of age, color, counseling concern, ethnicity, gender, marital/parental status, national origin, race, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation or veteran status.
Personal Counseling
All IU School of Medicine medical and graduate students, residents and fellows can access confidential and free of charge personal counseling and treatment. Appointments are available with Stephanie Cunningham, PhD, HSPP; Brian Nichelson, PhD, HSPP, CAC; Michael Trexler, PhD, LMHC, NCC; or Dana Lasek, PhD, HSPP. The therapists are located on the IU School of Medicine - Indianapolis campus (Gatch Hall, Suite 600, 1120 W. Michigan Street, 46202). Tele-therapy sessions are available for trainees statewide. Dr. Dana Lasek is the regional campus psychologist.
Psychiatry
Psychiatric services are available for all medical trainees. After an initial appointment with one of our counselors, if needed, a referral to one our psychiatrists can be arranged.
Initial psychiatric evaluation appointments (60-90 minutes) are in person on the Indianapolis campus (Gatch Hall, Suite 600, 1120 W. Michigan Street, 46202). Subsequent appointments (30 minutes) can be conducted in person or remotely via Zoom.*
Samia Hasan, MD, is the director of mental health services for IU School of Medicine and is responsible for ensuring the quality and availability of mental health services at each of the school’s nine campuses.
*Due to COVID-19 the initial psychiatric evaluation appointment will be conducted via Zoom.
Mental Health Resources and Policies
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AppointmentsFor new and follow-up appointments, contact the Department of Mental Health Services at dmhs@iu.edu or 317-278-2383. Confidential information should not be included in email but can be left on voicemail. For emergency counseling support, trainees can call the 24-Hour IU School of Medicine Mental Health Crisis Line: 317-278-HELP (4357). In an emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.
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Intake Process for New PatientsIntake begins with an initial brief phone consultation with a clinician. After the intake, an initial evaluation appointment is set up with a therapist. Consents and demographic paperwork, along with an intake questionnaire, will be sent once an appointment is confirmed. All paperwork will need to be completed before meeting with the provider at the first session. If needed, a referral to a psychiatrist can be arranged after an initial appointment with a counselor.
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Cancellation/Reschedule RequestsIf unable to keep an appointment, the providers request a 24-hour notice to enable them to offer the time to another person who may be seeking an appointment. Individuals with an appointment should call the Department of Mental Health Services at 317-278-2383 to cancel or reschedule. Given that learners’ schedules can be dynamic, it’s helpful to include availability options in rescheduling requests if you need to leave a voicemail message.
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Crisis SupportMedical trainees at IU School of Medicine with urgent psychological or psychiatric concerns can access guidance through a 24-hour dedicated phone line: 317-278-HELP (4357). This service is available to trainees at all nine IU School of Medicine campuses for emergencies or urgent needs. A trained mental health clinician answers calls and provides step-by-step assistance to the caller.
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ParkingMental Health Services is located in Indianapolis (Gatch Hall, Suite 600, 1120 W. Michigan Street, 46202). Parking is available at any of the student/physician lots with a valid permit. The closest visitor parking is Riley Hospital Outpatient Garage (575 Riley Hospital Garage, 46202). The office cannot validate parking costs/tickets. Additional garages and parking locations are available.
Statewide Support
“It’s not possible to predict or schedule the moment that a medical trainee will need emergency assistance. We want to ensure that learners in crisis get the help they need when they need it.”
Samia Hasan, MD, director of mental health services at IU School of Medicine
MD Students
Students covered under the IU Student Health Insurance plan can find a mental health provider through the Division of Student Affairs. Additional information about health and wellness support services for MD students at IU School of Medicine is available.
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Residents and Fellows
Health and wellness resources and services for IU School of Medicine residents and fellows is available through the Office of Graduate Medical Education.
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