The sharpest dividing line between Democrats and Republicans in the 2020 session is becoming clearer: how to spend excess state surplus dollars.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) announced the federal approval of a Medicaid waiver that will pay for inpatient stays for Hoosiers diagnosed with serious mental illness.

The 46,000-square-foot facility will combine currently separate primary care and mental health clinics in Terre Haute.

In rural areas, access to mental health services can be limited, sometimes even more so for teens and children. Orleans, in southern Indiana, is using technology to help bridge this gap.

The county's juvenile court will collaborate with Valparaiso-based Great Lakes Labs to offer self-styled pharmacogenetic tests to youths in the criminal justice system.

Last year, the Iowa State Education Association and Please Pass the Love surveyed nearly 400 Iowa public and private schools, and found that less than half list mental health resources on their websites.

A growing number of states are requiring schools to conduct active shooter drills. In the last two years, eight states either passed or updated laws that mandate drills, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The recently published study followed a single graduating class from Indiana University over their four years on campus.

Getting back to life can be difficult for anyone diagnosed with serious mental illness, including veterans. In Indiana, a new partnership gives them another option for rehabilitation in their community.

Children's mental health is a big concern as suicide and opioid addiction rates rise among teens. But in rural areas, spotting potential mental health problems among kids can often fall to teachers.