New Leaf Resources

10/10/2026

This World Mental Health Day, put 19.7 million people into perspective.

In 2025, an estimated 19.7 million U.S. adults experienced a major depressive episode in the past year - 7.4% of adults nationwide. That’s roughly the scale of the combined populations of Illinois and Indiana.

There is some encouraging news: that rate declined from 8.2% in 2024 to 7.4% in 2025. Still, behind 19.7 million is a person, family member, friend, coworker, or neighbor.

Mental health challenges may not always be visible. Today is a reminder to lead with compassion, make room for honest conversations, and remember that support is available.

09/24/2026

We’re proud to see New Leaf Resources therapist Denise Jones-Williams featured in the Lansing Journal, sharing guidance for residents coping with the emotional impact of the recent storms.

In the article, Denise reminds readers that feelings like anxiety, grief, sadness, and being on edge can be normal after a traumatic event. She encourages people to give themselves grace, check in with what they need, stay connected to others, and set boundaries around overwhelming news or social media.

She also emphasizes the importance of listening to children without minimizing their feelings and seeking professional support when stress or anxiety becomes difficult to manage.

As Denise shared, recovery is not only about repairing physical damage. Emotional recovery matters, too.

Thank you to the Lansing Journal for highlighting this important conversation and to Denise for offering practical, compassionate support to our community. 💚

09/23/2026

We were grateful to join Portage Strong and the City of Portage at Woodland Park for Portage Strong Community Gathering, a community event focused on connection, support, and coming together for an important cause. 💚

The event brought local organizations, vendors, families, and neighbors together while raising support for the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention through grill proceeds.

Thank you to Portage Strong, the City of Portage, and Woodland Park for creating space for the community to gather, connect, and access resources.

New Leaf Resources was glad to be there sharing information about mental health support, the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, and a simple reminder worth carrying with us: don’t give up.

We appreciate everyone who stopped by our table and all those who helped make the day possible.

This is what community care can look like: showing up, sharing resources, and reminding one another that support is available.

***dePrevention

09/11/2026

Today, we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11 and the families and loved ones who continue to carry their memory.

We honor the first responders, service members, volunteers, and neighbors who answered tragedy with extraordinary courage and compassion. In one of our nation’s darkest moments, communities came together to care for one another - a reminder of the strength found in unity, service, and love.

May we continue to support one another and bring hope, help, and healing wherever they are needed.

Our prayers are with all who lost someone and everyone forever affected by this day. We will never forget.

09/10/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Awareness Month; a reminder to lead with compassion, make room for honest conversations, and help people know that support is available.

If you or someone you know needs immediate emotional support, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. The 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7.

***dePreventionMonth

08/21/2026

Back-to-school season can bring a mix of excitement, nervousness, and uncertainty—for kids, parents, and teachers too.

A few simple things can help make the transition feel a little more manageable. Talking about feelings, rebuilding routines, preparing ahead, and making the unfamiliar feel more familiar can all help ease those first-week jitters. 🍃

Want a few practical ways to help?

📖 Read Becky's (MS, LMHC, NCC Mental Health Counselor) latest blog, Helping Ease Back-to-School Anxiety:
www.newleafresources.org/resources/blog-helping-ease-back-to-school-anxiety/

📥 Download our Back-to-School Calm Kit for conversation starters, checklists, and simple tools you can use at home:
www.newleafresources.org/resources/guides-practices-for-difficult-seasons.cfm

Back-to-school jitters are normal. And if anxiety begins to feel overwhelming or continues into the school year, New Leaf Resources is here to help

08/17/2026

**Office Service Update**

At this time, our office status remains the same as Friday:

* **Lansing:** The office has power, but internet and phone service are expected to remain unavailable until **August 20**.
* **Crown Point:** Power is available, but phone and internet service remain down.
* **Wheatfield:** Power and internet are available, but phone service remains down.

Clients can still reach their therapist by **email or through the client portal**.

Thank you for your continued patience as service is restored. We’ll share additional updates as they become available.

08/14/2026

***Office Update Following This Week’s Storms***

We’re grateful to share that all three New Leaf Resources locations have power and are able to continue seeing clients. Some phone and internet services are still being restored:

Lansing: No phone or internet service. In-person appointments can continue, with telehealth available when possible.
Crown Point: No phone or internet service. In-person appointments can continue, with telehealth available when possible.
Wheatfield: Internet is available, but phone service remains down. The office is operating as normally as possible.

We’re continuing to monitor service updates and will share changes as we learn more.

Thank you for your patience as our communities continue recovering from the storms.

08/14/2026

Sharing for those impacted in our Hammond, IN and surrounding communities. Thank you Go Hammond for creating this resource.

STORM RECOVERY RESOURCES - UPDATED 8/13 ‼️🚨

Northwest Indiana is coming together to support our community during this difficult time. 💛

The graphic below contains storm recovery resources, including disaster relief, power and cooling centers, information on reporting storm-related damage and power issues, and organizations offering additional support.

If you need any further assistance, please contact the Mayor’s Office at 219-853-6302 or [email protected].