Cartwheel Care and Anthem Expand Mental Health Access for Indiana Students

Indiana youth face significant hurdles in accessing behavioral care, with 30% of students reporting persistent sadness and over 57% of caregivers struggling to secure professional help. Cartwheel Care aims to bypass these obstacles—ranging from long waitlists and provider shortages to transportation issues—by providing immediate, telehealth-based therapy and psychiatric evaluations. The partnership expands an existing model already active in five Indiana districts, including Noblesville Schools and the School City of Mishawaka.

Beyond direct therapy, the funding bolsters care coordination, facilitating medication management and post-hospitalization follow-up for families. By integrating with school systems, the program allows clinicians to intervene before minor challenges escalate into crises. Neil Steffens, President of Government Business for Anthem in Indiana, noted that schools serve as the first point of visibility for a child's needs, making them a critical hub for these services. Cartwheel, which currently operates across 16 states, provides these resources regardless of insurance status, including coverage for Medicaid and uninsured families.