Mental illness never announces its presence. Substance abuse rarely seeks out the spotlight. Instead, they thrive on silence and flourish in the dark. So we’re opening an honest conversation about these issues and their impact on Hancock County. Make no mistake: We’re not simply raising our voices.
We’re raising $3.5 million to fund critical support and resources for our community.
Your gift is an investment in Hancock County’s professional services and support programs to address the growing mental illness and substance abuse problems in our community.
Mental illness and substance abuse leave no community or age population untouched. In fact, 1 in 4 American adults—and 1 in 5 children—live with mental illness. In Indiana, the problem is especially dire:
Indiana ranks #2 in the nation for youth suicide attempts.
In Hancock County alone, 65% of youth report knowing someone who has had serious thoughts of suicide.
Indiana ranks 5th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia for states with the worst drug problems.

Hancock County desperately needs professional services and support programs to address the growing mental illness and substance abuse problems in our community. To that end, our $3.5 million will fund:
- 2 new mental health navigators
- 10 new licensed social workers
- School-based prevention and early intervention services
- Medication-assisted opioid treatment services
The emotional cost of these problems are immeasurable. But the financial cost isn’t. The lifetime medical and work-loss costs of suicide in Indiana are more than $1 billion a year.
A 2018 study found that long wait times, limited treatment options, and lack of service providers were creating barriers to treatment in Hancock County. Now is the time to start helping our friends and neighbors affected by substance abuse and mental illness, once and for all.

Your friends and coworkers. Your neighbors and relatives. Your kids. And just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
It can lead to dropping out of school, unemployment, arrest, teen pregnancy, and premature death.
Right now, there aren’t enough mental health and substance use treatment facilities or professionals in Hancock County. And many who need help don’t have the means to pay for it.
