HealthLinc announced it has received a grant from the Valinhos Foundation to support its behavioral health residency program, expanding access to integrated mental health care for patients across northern Indiana.
The grant will provide advanced training for second-year behavioral health residents, preparing them to practice in primary care settings. Integrating behavioral health into primary care ensures that patients receive more coordinated, whole-person support that addresses both their physical and mental health needs.
HealthLinc launched its behavioral health residency program after recognizing the growing need for clinicians specifically trained in the Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model.
“Traditionally, medical and behavioral health services have been delivered separately, often resulting in delayed diagnoses, fragmented treatment and missed opportunities to address the underlying causes of patients’ symptoms,” states Melissa Mitchell, HealthLinc CEO.
The need for integrated behavioral health care continues to grow. In 2024, HealthLinc served more than 24,000 patients with a behavioral health diagnosis, yet only 15% had access to a behavioral health therapist. Demand is expected to rise as changes in insurance coverage and Medicaid eligibility create additional barriers to mental health care for many Indiana residents.
During the 2026-2027 residency year, HealthLinc will train three behavioral health residents, each serving an average of 250 unique patients while completing the supervised clinical hours required for licensure.
“By training the next generation of behavioral health clinicians, HealthLinc is building lasting capacity to meet patients where they already are. We’re proud to support a workforce pipeline that will expand access to whole-person care for families across northern Indiana for years to come” says Erica Woebse, Associate Director of the Valinhos Foundation.
“The support from the Valinhos Foundation helps us build a stronger behavioral health workforce and expand access to high-quality, integrated care for the communities we serve,” said Mitchell. “This investment benefits not only our residents but also the thousands of patients who rely on HealthLinc for primary and behavioral health care.”
For more information on behavioral health programs at HealthLinc, contact mdoyle@healthlincchc.org.
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