Indianapolis, IN
How the Colts are promoting mental health awareness this month
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts will be hosting multiple events across Indiana this month in an effort to promote mental health awareness as part of Mental Health Awareness Month.
The events are all part of the Colts’ Kicking the Stigma campaign, which has “worked to raise awareness around mental health and combat the feelings of shame associated with mental illness.”
“Over the last five years, Kicking The Stigma has focused on moving the discussion of mental health out of the darkness and into the open so people can seek and receive life-saving help without shame or embarrassment,” Colts Vice Chair and Owner Kalen Jackson said in a news release.
The following are some ways how Kicking the Stigma will be out in the community this month:
- Saturday, May 3 – Kicking the Stigma is teaming up with organizers of the Fishers (Ind.) Farmers Market to “highlight and share info about mental health during the market’s Hope for Happiness Day.” The Fishers Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater.
- Thursday, May 8 – Kicking the Stigma will be at Pike High School from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for MSD Pike Township’s annual Mental Health Fair.
- Thursday, May 15 – Kicking the Stigma is taking part in Mental Health Action Day, “a day that encourages and empowers people to take action and focus on mental wellness for themselves, their loved ones or their community.”
- Friday, May 16 – Kicking The Stigma is partnering with Ascension St. Vincent to host its inaugural “Inside the Huddle” event. The event will focus on “maternal mental health and the journey through parenthood. The event is designed for new and prospective parents and professionals and organizations who provide care to those in need.” The event takes place from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Ascension St. Vincent William K. Nasser, MD, Nassar Healthcare Education & Simulation Center. To attend, you must fill out this form.
In addition, Kicking the Sigma is promoting a “Let’s Talk About It” campaign throughout the entire month to “encourage conversations about mental health and normalize the topic as a regular part of our health and wellness discussions.” Residents are encouraged to show their support at White River State Park along the Canal (May 1-31) and at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (May 14-18) by sharing photos on social media using #KickingTheStigma.
“We’ve seen progress in Indiana and nationally, but Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that there is so much work left to do to continue moving our society and culture in a positive direction when it comes to mental health and wellness,” Jackson said in the news release..
The Irsay family launched the Kicking the Stigma campaign in 2020. The program has committed $31 million so far “to expand treatment and research and raise awareness in Indiana and beyond,” according to the news release.
Indianapolis, IN
State police arrest man in connection with two Monument Circle attacks
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana State Police have arrested a man in connection with two attacks, including one deadly, near Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis earlier this month.
29-year-old Michael Willis is facing two counts of attempted murder. Police say that the attacks happened on June 19 and June 26, both happening on N Senate Ave. near Monument Circle.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by News 8, on June 19, Willis was walking in the area near Monument Circle around 2 a.m. when he approached a person laying down and repeatedly stomped on them. Police say that this first victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
The first victim died on Sunday due to their injuries sustained from Willis’s attack, documents say.
Police also say that on June 26, Willis attacked a different person at the same location near Monument Circle. Police believe that the second victim was repeatedly kicked and stomped on while they were lying down as well. This second attack also took place around 2 a.m.
Indiana State Police detectives shared surveillance photos of Willis from the attacks with other police agencies in an attempt to identify him. Police say Willis was identified by a Greensborough Police Sergeant after Willis had asked the sergeant to use his cell phone.
Police then approached Willis and detained him. Police say that when Willis was detained, he was wearing the same clothes that were seen in the surveillance footage of both attacks. Officers also noticed blood on Willis’s socks.
In an interview with detectives about the July 26 attack, Willis at first said that he was only “nudging” the victim. Police say that according to Willis, he was trying to wake the victim up because he was concerned about them.
Later in the interview, Willis admitted to attacking both victims. Willis said that he was frustrated that he had been homeless and unemployed for around the past 6 months. According to police, Willis also said that the people in the area were “mean and rude” to him.
Police say that Willis told detectives that he was the only person involved in these attacks.
Willis is currently in custody of the Marion County Jail.
Indianapolis, IN
Where to find cooling stations in central Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana is under a heat advisory with temperatures in the 90s throughout the week.
Many cooling centers will open throughout the state for those that need to find relief from the heat. Hoosiers looking to find cooling centers in their area can contact Indiana 211. To learn more, call 211 or (866) 211-9966.
Avaliable cooling centers can also be found by clicking here.
Marion County
For those living in Indianapolis, Indy Parks has several cooling centers across the city.
Those Cooling Centers are:
- Broad Ripple Park Family Center
- Brookside Park Family Center
- Christian Park Family Center
- Frederick Douglass Park Family Center
- Garfield Park Burrello Family Center
- Krannert Park Family Center
- Grassy Creek Environmental Education Center
- Pride Park Family Center
- Rhodius Park Family Center
- Riverside Park Family Center
- Stanley Strader Park Family Center
- Washington Park Family Center
- Windsor Park Family Center
- Watkins Park Family Center
- Thatcher Park Family Center
For addresses and hours of operations of these cooling centers, click here.
Beech Grove will also have two cooling Centers for residents starting Monday, June 29. Those hours and locations are:
- Beech Grove Senior Center, 602 Main St
- 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
- Hornet Park Community Center, 5245 Hornet Ave
- 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday
Other Central Indiana Cooling Centers
For addresses and hour of operations of cooling centers below, click here.
Marion
- St. Martin Community Center
- Grant County Family YMCA
- Grant County Rescue Mission
Kokomo
- The Kokomo Rescue Mission
- The Excel Center in Kokomo
Peru
- Community Resource Center
- Miami County Courthouse
- Miami County Health Department
- Miami County YMCA
- Peru City Hall
- Peru Public Library
- Peru Schools Administration Building
Indianapolis, IN
Heat Advisory and Warning for central Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS (WRTV) — The National Weather Service out of Indianapolis has issued a Heat Advisory for all of Central Indiana and a High Heat Warning for parts of northern Indiana. The Advisory and Warning will go into effect at 12 PM on Monday and will run through 8 PM Thursday.
WRTV
A Heat Advisory means that temperatures in the 90s with dew points in the 70s, will lead to Heat Index values reaching 106. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.
Stay cool:
Drink plenty of fluids, check up on relatives and neighbors, and stay in an air-conditioned room when possible. If outside for extended periods of time, make sure to take frequent breaks in the shade as much as you can.
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