Mental Health Advisory Council
About
The Mental Health Advisory Council (MHAC) advises Indiana Disability Rights (IDR) about issues that affect individuals with mental and behavioral health conditions in Indiana.
Members
MHAC members broadly represent or know of the needs of people with mental and/or behavioral health issues. Membership is comprised of people who have lived experience with mental and/or behavioral health conditions, as well as family members and friends of people with lived mental and/or behavioral health experience, service providers, and advocates.
The MHAC is responsible for reviewing membership applications and electing candidates for membership.
Current MHAC Members
Name | County |
| Samantha Bahler | Vanderburgh |
Nicole Beeman-Cadwaller, Vice Chair | Marion |
Jennifer Loop-Miller | St. Joseph |
| Sheri Moore | White |
Trevor Oakerson | Randolph |
| Leslie Stevens | Hancock |
| Christa Thomas | Hamilton |
Rachel Vilensky, Chair | Marion |
Kathleen Wilds | Marion |
Get Involved
Attend a Meeting
The MHAC meets quarterly on the dates listed below. Meetings are open to the public and media is welcome to attend.
Contact IDR to request accommodations by calling (800) 622-4845 or e-mailing info@IndianaDisabilityRights.org.
Meeting Information
Meeting Date | Location | Link to Agenda |
Wednesday, February 15, 2023; 12:30 pm, EST | Virtual; join the public meeting | View the February Executive Session Agenda View the February Public Meeting Agenda |
Wednesday, May 17, 2023; 12:30 pm, EST | Virtual; join the public meeting | View the May Executive Session Agenda View the May Public Meeting Agenda |
Wednesday, August 16, 2023; 12:30 pm, EST | Virtual; join the public meeting | View the August Executive Session Agenda View the August Public Meeting Agenda |
Wednesday, November 15, 2023; 12:30 pm, EST | Virtual; join the public meeting | View the November Executive Session Agenda View the November Public Meeting Agenda |
| Wednesday, February 21, 2024; 12:30 pm, EST | Virtual; join through MS Teams: Meeting ID: 245 960 935 313 | View the February Executive Session Agenda View the February Public Meeting Agenda |
Join the MHAC
If you are ready to take your advocacy to the next level, consider joining the MHAC.
Membership is open to individuals who broadly represent or know about the needs of people with mental and/or behavioral health issues. The MHAC especially welcomes applications from candidates with lived experience as a person with a disability, those with intersecting identities from marginalized communities, and those living in rural communities.
The MHAC holds quarterly meetings that generally last less than two hours. Members discuss items such as IDR’s progress meeting its goals, current issues affecting the mental health community, and applications for membership.
People interested in becoming a MHAC member should complete an application and send it to ExecutiveDirector@IndianaDisabilityRights.org.
Contact IDR to request accommodations for the application by calling (800) 622-4845 or e-mailing info@IndianaDisabilityRights.org.