Valley Oaks Health

03/16/2026

Join us for an interactive mock lecture exploring how ethical social work foundations guide mental health and addiction assessment in clinical practice. Led by Alyssa Mitchem, LCSW, Clinical Assistant Professor at the Indiana University School of Social Work and Director of the Lafayette MSW Program, and Taylor Fristoe, LCSW, Associate Faculty at the Indiana University School of Social Work, this session will walk through how social workers integrate ethical decision-making, trauma-informed care, and strengths-based assessment when working with individuals experiencing mental health and substance use challenges.

Participants will engage in case-based discussion and practical examples demonstrating how social workers use biopsychosocial assessment frameworks while maintaining a focus on dignity, cultural humility, and client strengths. This event offers a glimpse into graduate-level social work education and highlights how ethical practice shapes real-world clinical decision-making.
Please register to attend at the following link.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mock-lecture-iu-school-of-social-work-tickets-1984964508278?aff=oddtdtcreator

03/16/2026

Sleep debt is real, and weekend catch-up won’t fix it.

Our latest Health Hub article explains why missing even a few hours of sleep each night can impact your mood, focus, and long-term health, and why consistent rest matters more than Saturday sleep-ins.

At Valley Oaks Health, we take a whole-person approach to care. If sleep has become a struggle, we’re here to help you uncover what’s getting in the way of healthy rest.

Read the full article to learn how small changes can restore better sleep.

We’ve all been there—burning the midnight oil during the week and promising ourselves we’ll “catch up” on sleep over the weekend. But while a long Saturday nap can feel great in the moment, it doesn’t fully erase the toll of chronic sleep deprivation. Just like financial debt, sleep debt...

03/14/2026

🎙 New Listen Alert 🎙
What’s it really like to live with a mental health condition, a disability—or both?

The GET REAL: Talking Mental Health and Disability podcast dives into frank, fearless conversations with people who know it best, those with lived experience, frontline workers, and advocates shaping change.

If you’re passionate about building a more compassionate, inclusive world, this podcast is for you.

Tune in on your favorite podcast app.

03/12/2026

Twice each month, the Coordinated Homeless Response Team (CHRT) meets to discuss individuals in our community facing the greatest barriers to housing. Together, they review the coordinated entry prioritization list and work collectively to identify housing solutions and supportive services for those who need them most.

This team includes partners from across our community who often serve the same individuals and families, including Lafayette Urban Ministry, Valley Oaks Health, NAMI West Central Indiana, YWCA Greater Lafayette, Greater Lafayette Family Shelter, Pauls Plan Ministries, the Lafayette Police Department and West Lafayette Police Homeless Outreach Teams, The HIVE Recovery Hub, and the Outreach Advocacy Center. All who come together to share knowledge, resources, and solutions because collaboration is how real progress happens.

Some partners may not be pictured here, but each plays an important role in this ongoing work.

03/12/2026

Your voice can help strengthen mental health care.

Indiana has been working toward adopting the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model—a proven approach that improves clinical outcomes, strengthens the behavioral health workforce, and helps divert individuals from jails, emergency rooms, and state psychiatric hospitals.

Federal legislation (SB 3402 – Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health) is currently being considered and would help solidify this model in Medicare, making it easier for Indiana to adopt and expand these services.

If you support stronger, more accessible mental health care, you can advocate in just a couple of minutes.

📝 Write your legislator in under 2 minutes:
https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/get-involved/be-an-advocate/write-your-legislator/

Simply click on “Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health.”

Small actions can help create meaningful change for individuals, families, and communities across Indiana.

Call or email your elected officials and share your opinions about the major policy issues affecting you and your community.

03/11/2026

03/07/2026

Good sleep = good health. On World Sleep Day, we’re reminded that quality rest is essential for mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall wellness. If stress or health challenges are keeping you up at night, our team at Valley Oaks Health can help.

03/05/2026

Community care starts with connection.
At Valley Oaks, our values guide everything we do: Be Brave. Be Human. Be Connected.
You can support that mission by voting for us in Best of the Wabash!
🗳️ Voting is open once a day through March 11
Thank you for helping us continue to support the health and well-being of our community!
www.bestofthewabash.com

03/04/2026

Please join us in congratulating Bill Holmes from our Maintenance Department on receiving a Golden Award.

Bill was recognized for his quick response to program needs even after hours and for the consistent professionalism he brings to his work. Staff describe him as helpful, kind, polite, and an excellent communicator. In fact, one team member summed it up perfectly: “He’s a gem!”

Bill’s reliability and collaborative spirit reflect what it means to Be Connected, and the care he shows toward colleagues across our organization truly embodies Be Human.

Thank you, Bill, for keeping things running and for doing it with such a positive attitude. We appreciate you!

03/03/2026

Getting outside within an hour of waking (even just for 5 minutes) helps regulate your body’s clock, improves sleep at night, and boosts mood during the day.