WHITLEY COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) – A program developed by Warsaw-based Bowen Health is making waves in Whitley County, boasting a 100% success rate in diverting young people in mental health crises away from detention and into treatment. The initiative, originally designed for youth, has now expanded to include adults, providing comprehensive mental health support across age groups. Bowen Health launched the crisis-response program in January 2023. The program aims to address mental health crises on-site with law enforcement, preventing escalation and reducing the need for juvenile detention. “With the intervention of Bowen Health staff, we’ve seen a reduction in the number of youth requiring detention care, allowing officers to return to other duties,” said Mista Lauber, Northeast Indiana Executive Director for Bowen Health. The program has been praised for its ability to assist law enforcement by managing crises in real-time, allowing officers to focus on other community responsibilities. Families have also expressed gratitude for the program, which provides long-term plans and support for mental health challenges. In partnership with Indiana’s 988 crisis lifeline, Bowen Health recently expanded the program to include adults, aiming to replicate its success with youth. The expansion is part of a broader effort to provide mental health services to a larger demographic and alleviate the strain on law enforcement. The key to its effectiveness, according to Lauber, is the collaboration among local agencies, including law enforcement, dispatch, prosecutors, and probation officers.