Mental Health America of Monroe County

08/31/2026

It is my pleasure to introduce you to another one of our amazing members for Member Spotlight Monday!

Meet James M. Carter, Treasurer of Mental Health America of Monroe County and a dedicated member of our Executive, Governance, and Finance Committees.

After retiring from Indiana University in 2014, James found a meaningful way to continue giving back to his community through service with MHA-MC. Outside of the board, he stays active in his local church and values the opportunity to be involved in work that supports the well-being of others.

When asked what led him to MHA-MC, James simply shared that retirement gave him the availability to serve. This is a good reminder that sometimes the most meaningful way to make a difference is simply to show up and give your time.

For James, his own mental wellness is grounded in his faith in Jesus Christ, which continues to be an important source of strength and support in his life.

We’re grateful for the kind presence, time, and commitment James brings to MHA-MC. Thank you, James, for being part of our board and helping us build a healthier, more connected community!

08/24/2026

Hello again, time for another Member Spotlight Monday!

Meet Kara Baertsch, MS, EdS, LMHC, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, private practice clinician, and Past President of Mental Health America of Monroe County. Kara currently serves on MHA-MC’s Executive and Governance Committees and has been a dedicated member of the board since 2016, including five years as Board President from 2020–2025.

As a clinician specializing in complex trauma and dissociative disorders, Kara is passionate about helping people access compassionate, effective, and trauma-informed care. She holds both a Master’s and Educational Specialist degree in Counseling and Counselor Education from Indiana University and is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist, Approved Trainer, and Consultant. Through her private practice in Bloomington, she works with adults using a variety of trauma-focused approaches, including EMDR, IFS-informed EMDR, somatic therapies, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. She also provides training and consultation to clinicians nationwide and hosts retreats for helping professionals focused on healing from vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue.

Kara’s commitment to mental health advocacy comes from seeing firsthand how transformative access to compassionate care can be. She believes everyone deserves to feel understood and supported and to access quality mental health services without stigma or unnecessary barriers. For Kara, advocacy is about helping create a community where reaching out for help is recognized as a sign of strength and where healing feels possible for everyone.

Outside of her work, Kara enjoys reading, traveling, spending time in nature and with animals, exploring oenology, and engaging in psycho-spiritual study. Her own mental wellness is supported by meaningful relationships, including her spouse and a strong circle of friends who understand the unique joys and challenges of working in mental health. She also values her own ongoing therapy and making space for physical, mental, social, and spiritual self-care.

We’re incredibly grateful for Kara’s years of leadership, expertise, and unwavering commitment to the mental health of our community.

08/17/2026

Member Spotlight Monday!

Meet O’Connell Case, LCSW, a Mental Health Therapist and Consultant and a member of MHA-MC’s Scholarship Committee. O’Connell is passionate about expanding access to mental health services and supporting the therapists who serve our community through education, training, and connection.

Throughout her career as a mental health administrator and consultant, O’Connell has seen firsthand the challenges and gaps that can make it difficult for people to access the care they need. She believes that strengthening mental health services requires collaboration across the community and is proud to be part of a board committed to making those services more accessible.

Mental health advocacy is especially meaningful to O’Connell because she has seen the impact of mental health challenges within her own family. She believes that greater understanding of mental health and the value of seeking support can make a meaningful difference not only in individual lives, but throughout the community.

Outside of her work and board service, O’Connell enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her two daughters and seven grandchildren in Texas. At home, time with her husband and her dog, Ginger, is an important part of what keeps her grounded and connected.

O’Connell brings a valuable perspective to MHA-MC, with a strong belief that expanding access to care starts with supporting the professionals who provide it.

08/10/2026

Welcome to MHA Member Spotlight Monday!

Meet Mandy Salatin, a Clinical Social Worker and Owner of The Resiliency Practice LLC, and a valued member of Mental Health America of Monroe County’s Events and Training Subcommittee.

With over 20 years of experience in acute medicine, crisis response, and individual therapy, Mandy is deeply committed to supporting both clients and fellow helping professionals in living out their missions. Her work is grounded in a passion for expanding access to mental health care and strengthening the skills and knowledge of those in the field.

A proud IU alum and “Bloomerang,” Mandy completed her undergraduate studies at Indiana University before spending two decades working in Indianapolis. She later returned to Bloomington, bringing her IU roots full circle.

Through her involvement with MHA of Monroe County, Mandy values the opportunity to connect with others who share a common goal: improving access to mental health resources and supporting community well-being. She sees this work as an extension of her own professional mission to promote knowledge, access, and empowerment in mental health care.

Outside of her clinical work, Mandy finds grounding in reading, learning, and being part of mission-driven groups that cultivate connection and shared purpose.

We’re grateful to have Mandy’s experience, heart, and leadership as part of our MHA community.

08/03/2026

A Practical Introduction to Dialectical Behavior Therapy

What is DBT? Who can benefit from it? And how can helping professionals recognize when this approach may be a good fit?

Join us for an introductory CEU training on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), an evidence-based approach designed to help individuals build skills for managing emotions, improving relationships, and navigating life’s challenges.

We are excited to welcome Wade Snider, LCSW, as our presenter. Wade brings years of experience in community mental health and private practice and has utilized DBT in his clinical work since 2016. He currently leads two DBT groups through his private practice, Wade Snider LCSW LLC.

This training is designed for helping professionals who want to better understand DBT, its applications, and how it may benefit the individuals they serve.

Mental Health America of Monroe County, the Monroe County Su***de Prevention Coalition, and the Youth Services Bureau are looking forward to hosting our IN PERSON Breakfast Learning Series event on Friday, September 18th from 730am-900am at the Youth Services Bureau-Monroe County located at 615 S Ad...

06/13/2026

💬 Community Check-In

What's one thing you do to manage stress when life gets busy?

Whether it's taking a walk, spending time with family, reading, exercising, gardening, or something else entirely, we'd love to hear what's working for you.

Share your favorite stress-relief strategy in the comments ⬇️

06/11/2026

🧠 Mental Health Minute

Stress isn't always a bad thing. In fact, short-term stress can help us stay focused and motivated. The challenge comes when stress becomes constant and we don't have opportunities to recover.

This week, check in with yourself:

✔️ Have you been sleeping well?
✔️ Have you had time to recharge?
✔️ Have you connected with someone you trust?

Small steps can make a big difference for your mental well-being.

Photo Credit: Kate Stone Matheson

06/09/2026

📣 Now Hiring in Bloomington!

Harmony School is seeking a Licensed Youth First Mental Health Professional to provide prevention and early intervention services to students and families.

This part-time, school-based position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the mental health and well-being of local youth while enjoying a school-year schedule and professional support.

✅ 20 hours/week
✅ Clinical supervision provided
✅ Continuing education opportunities
✅ Summers off

Interested? Contact Elizabeth Wilkes at 812-568-2402 or [email protected].

Please share with your networks to help connect qualified mental health professionals with this important opportunity.

06/08/2026

Trauma-informed care continues to be one of the most important areas of growth in mental health treatment — and EMDR remains one of the leading evidence-based approaches for helping clients process and heal from traumatic experiences.

If you’ve been considering EMDR training, now is a great time to register for the upcoming EMDRIA-approved EMDR Basic Training in Bloomington, IN.

This in-person training includes:
✔️ Lecture and demonstration
✔️ Hands-on practicum experiences
✔️ 10 hours of consultation
✔️ 40 CE credits available
✔️ Flexible training schedule across two sessions

📅 August 13–14 & September 15–17, 2026
📍 Bloomington, Indiana

Whether you work in private practice, community mental health, schools, healthcare, or crisis services, this training offers practical tools you can immediately begin integrating into your clinical work.

Learn more and register here:

Intended audience: counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, etc. Please scroll down and click on our Training Eligibility tab for more information about eligibility for this course.

06/04/2026

Congratulations to Judy Williams, recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Volunteer Award at our Mental Health Champions Gala 💚

Judy has served on the Catholic Charities Advisory Council for five years and has spent another five years as its President, providing steady leadership and vision. Under her guidance, the Advisory Council has continued to grow a fundraising arm that will help ensure Catholic Charities can provide quality, accessible mental health care for the community. This work reflects a shared commitment to expanding support and reducing barriers to care.

Judy’s lifelong dedication to education and emotional well-being began in her years as an elementary teacher and librarian, where she deeply understood the connection between reading, empathy, and mental health. She created intentional spaces for students to reflect on why they read—often revealing powerful insights about connection, perspective-taking, and finding comfort through stories. At the heart of her teaching philosophy was a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves to feel seen.

In retirement, Judy has only expanded her impact. She continues to volunteer in an elementary school library in Bloomington twice a week and co-leads a meaningful outreach effort alongside her certified therapy dog, Dickens. Together, they visit schools, healthcare facilities, memory care settings, and community events, bringing comfort, connection, and calm wherever they go. Judy also helped found the Monroe County chapter of Love on a Leash, which now includes multiple therapy dog teams serving the community.

Through every chapter of her work, Judy has created spaces where people feel seen, valued, and supported—often in simple but profoundly meaningful ways.

Thank you, Judy, for your extraordinary service, compassion, and commitment to mental health and community well-being. We are honored to recognize you.