INDIANAPOLIS — Quinton Holland said he is not often in his office at the Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center on Indianapolis’ Northwest side. Instead the clinical director for the mental health service provider, “Raising Baselines,” can be found in the community.
“Though these chairs are here, they’re not used as much,” Holland said.
Since starting in 2020, Raising Baselines has worked with upwards of 300 neighbors — some just one time, others long-term. The work is personal for him.
The dad of two said he started the resource in part after seeing friends and family struggle with mental health during the pandemic.
“I realized if those things are happening at home, there is going to be an increase around the city,” Holland said.
His work in the community, though, did not start during the pandemic. Holland has worked in the field since 2011 always with the focus of helping provide mental health resources in the Circle City.
Last week, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and other city leaders spoke out on a proposed pilot program involving a 24/7 mental health response team. It would be made up of trained peers, social workers and even paramedics. The team would respond to non-violent mental health 911 calls rather than the police.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Holland said while applauding the initiative.
Holland notes he has been involved in other citywide mental health programs in the past.
“When you have those situations you need somebody who is probably not the police, especially in urban settings because there’s a lot of fear, a lot of anxiety,” Holland said.
He hopes, the budget, which includes, two million in funding for the team, is approved by the City-County Council next month.
“Anytime you can send a scalpel in instead of a knife, then it's going to be a better situation,” Holland said.
City leaders told WRTV the pilot program would begin early next year if the City-County budget is approved in October.
-
Google confirms it is behind data center plan in rural Morgan County
Morgan County pushed forward on a controversial data center plan this year despite keeping the interested company's identity secret through the process. The company has now revealed itself as Google.
Wrong address turned deadly in Whitestown shooting
Police say a member of a cleaning crew arrived at the wrong address just before 7 a.m. Wednesday, and was shot by the homeowner, who fired from inside the house.
McCordsville woman buying, delivering meal kits amid SNAP pause
Amy Grissom said she felt compelled to act when she learned about cuts to the benefits program hundreds of Hoosiers depend on.
Plainfield restaurants step up to feed struggling Hoosiers amidst SNAP delays
Thousands of Hoosiers relying on SNAP benefits are facing unexpected challenges this November. Local restaurants are stepping up to help fill the gap.
