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FaithNet IU School of Public Health–Bloomington

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about FaithNet services, eligibility, and how to access care through your primary care provider.

Persons age 18 and older who live or work in Martin County and Orange County, Indiana are eligible for FaithNet services.

Currently, the program operates in:

  • Martin County through Deaconess Clinic Family Medicine – Loogootee (formerly Loogootee Family Medicine) and Deaconess Clinic Family Medicine – Shoals (formerly Martin County Health Center)
  • Orange County at Deaconess Family Medicine – French Lick (formerly French Lick Family Medicine)

As we continue expanding with support from our HRSA grant, more clinics and counties will be added to bring vital mental health services to more rural communities across Indiana. FaithNet is scheduled to expand into Perry County, Indiana in 2026.

Your first contact with a FaithNet professional will happen during a regular primary care visit.

During your appointment, tell your primary care provider about your mental health crisis or related concerns you may have. You can request a FaithNet connection, or your provider may suggest one. Your provider can set up a telehealth session for you – it might be right in the clinic, or you might take it from your own device (cellphone, tablet, or computer) in the next day or so. This approach eliminates wait times and the need for separate mental health appointments. You'll receive timely care in a familiar, comfortable setting with providers you trust.

Martin County Residents:

You can access FaithNet through your primary care provider at:

Orange County Residents:

You can access a primary care providers at:

Your FaithNet consultation begins with a brief evaluation, or triage, that helps a social worker or psychiatric nurse practitioner determine the type and nature of your mental health needs. These mental health professionals will listen to your concerns and evaluate your needs to make a diagnosis and determine the most appropriate level of care for your situation. This session is conducted by telephone or tablet computer and usually lasts about 30 minutes.

If needed, you'll receive short-term stabilization services from the social worker or psychiatric nurse practitioner. These professionals work together to provide immediate support and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Additionally, you may be connected with a patient coordinator who can help address social needs affecting your mental health, such as transportation, child or elder care, housing, food access, or other factors that impact your overall health and well-being.

After your initial session, your FaithNet providers will determine how to proceed with your care and will set up additional telehealth appointments. They may plan up to six sessions to help you get stable. If care is needed beyond those first set of appointments, your primary medical care provider and FaithNet professionals will help you figure out what to do. This might include longer-term therapy, referral to a specialty provider, or medication that can be managed by your primary medical provider.

Yes, all FaithNet telehealth consultations are completely private and secure. We use HIPAA-compliant video technology that encrypts your session to protect your privacy. Your consultations may take place in a private room at your primary care clinic or in a location you choose, such as your home, your office, or your car.

Your mental health information is protected by the same strict privacy laws that govern all medical care. Only healthcare professionals directly involved in your care have access to your information, and it's never shared without your written consent. No one will know about your FaithNet sessions unless you decide to tell them.

Telehealth allows you to connect with mental health professionals via video or telephone, eliminating the need to travel to a physical office. You can have sessions at home, in your car, at work, or in a private room at your primary care provider's office—wherever you feel most comfortable and secure.

For those without reliable internet access or technology, FaithNet has set up telehealth capabilities within clinic sites. A designated exam or triage room provides privacy and the necessary technology for your appointment.

Telehealth has proven highly effective for behavioral health care. It also reduces travel time and work absences while maintaining the quality of care and the therapeutic relationship.