Statewide — Attorney General Curtis Hill will host and deliver opening remarks at a forum next week about the intersection of law enforcement and mental health. The forum will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis, and will be live-streamed on the Herozona Foundation’s Facebook page.
Attorney General Hill stated, “While it has long been important to encourage conversations surrounding mental health, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened many Americans’ mental health. Researchers at the University of Oxford found that nearly one out of every five people diagnosed with COVID-19 has been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder within three months of their coronavirus diagnosis. The World Health Organization says it is “normal and understandable that people are experiencing fear in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
If you or someone you know is in a crisis, help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides support for people experiencing suicidal thoughts and can be reached at 1-800-273-8255. Individuals who are experiencing domestic violence may call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). The United Nations says violence against women has increased during the pandemic.
