Indiana Expands Youth Mental Health Coach Training
Coaches, performing arts directors, and mental health providers across Indiana will get expanded training to spot and refer young people in need.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Financial Aid
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Ball State University received a $167,000 state grant to expand youth mental health training through its Coach Beyond initiative, as announced on November 12, 2026. The funding also supports the new Indiana Coaching Resource Center for adults who work with young people.
Why it matters
The grant reflects the state's focus on youth suicide prevention in counties with high rates of youth suicide, and it extends training to adults who regularly interact with students. For Indiana families and students, it signals expanded campus and community mental health resources tied to Ball State's programs.
The Indiana Department of Health's Maternal and Child Health Division awarded Ball State University $167,000 for the expansion. The initiative prioritizes Indiana counties with high youth suicide rates, but the source does not list eligibility rules or a participant count.
The players
Ball State University
A public university in Muncie, Indiana, whose Coach Beyond initiative is receiving the expansion funding.
Indiana Department of Health
The state agency whose Maternal and Child Health Division provided the $167,000 grant for youth mental health training.
The details
The $167,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Health funds an expansion of Ball State's existing Coach Beyond program. The expanded training reaches youth coaches, high school coaches, performing arts directors, and mental health providers, teaching them to recognize mental health challenges in young people and to connect those youth with appropriate resources. The funding also helps establish the Indiana Coaching Resource Center, which offers support and materials for adults working with young people.
Timeline
November 12, 2026: Announcement of the $167,000 grant to Ball State University.
Education Landscape
Campus-based mental health training for adults who work with students has become a growing part of state education and youth-health efforts. This grant places Ball State's Coach Beyond program inside a statewide push to reach coaches and mentors beyond the classroom.
Students and families at Indiana schools may see more trained coaches and mental health referral pathways over time. If you are a student seeking support, ask your school's counseling or student services office what resources are available.
The takeaway
State dollars are expanding who is trained to spot youth mental health concerns, from coaches to performing arts directors. Families can ask their child's school which adult-training or referral resources it participates in.
Further reading
For more on how state funding reaches students and campuses, explore Financial Aid.
Live Poll
Should your community spend more on youth mental health training for coaches and teachers?
