Mental Health Icon

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.

—We hope you’ll join us—
in bringing mental illness and substance abuse to light—and in bringing an end to the darkness and suffering.
Give Now
You can help save lives NOW.

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.

Donation Information

Send Notification of my Gift To

Billing Information

Please call the Foundation office at 317-468-4583 or email if you have any questions about the online form. All the information you provide is strictly confidential.

REFUND POLICY: If you made a donation in error, you have the right to a full refund within 30 days of the date of the donation. Contact Hancock Regional Hospital Foundation at 317-468-4583 should you require assistance in this situation.

A Community in Distress

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:

#2

Indiana ranks #2 in the nation for youth suicide attempts.

65%

In Hancock County alone, 65% of youth report knowing someone who has had serious thoughts of suicide.

5th

Indiana ranks 5th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia for states with the worst drug problems.

You can help save lives. Here’s how.

Hancock County desperately needs professional services and support programs to address the growing mental illness and substance use 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
Program Updates

Because of your generous donations, we have been able to make great strides in meeting our goals.

  • 2 new social workers have been hired
  • Patient navigators have seen some 160+ patients
  • We have contracts in place with two local school systems
We have established many mental health programs with the schools.
  • Rise Above It – Annual emotional health & wellness event
  • QPR – Suicide prevention training
  • Support the Bring Change to Mind Clubs led by schools
  • 5210 – Nutrition & fitness education
  • Remedy Live Get Schooled Tour – One time mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention convocation
THE IMPACT

“We have some of the best care for cancer patients…but people with mental health issues are viewed differently and treated differently, and it should never be that way.”

Jeff Muegge
Husband of Lisa Muegge
THE IMPACT

“I’ve had a granddaughter who’s had a problem with drugs. And I wonder, back when she was in seventh or eighth grade when it started, if we’d had places available, and treatments, and people to talk to her, if things might have been different.”

“We’ve got to get to the base of that problem and get that changed. I hope you can find a way to support this important campaign.”

Walt Waitt
Board of Directors, Emeritus Hancock Health Foundation
THE IMPACT

“Providing mental health services for senior citizens in this county is a huge challenge. Because there’s a huge stigma around getting help for mental health issues. And that is probably the number one barrier right now for people getting help.”

Kit Paternoster
Volunteer Coordinator, Hancock County Senior Services
THE IMPACT

“We’re getting phone calls now that might be suicidal, and we don’t have the staff we need to sit next to this phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week—to even be able to service the people who are calling in now.”

Andrea Mallory
Executive Director, Hope House
THE IMPACT

“It can be extremely frustrating to have someone say they’re ready for help, but there are no services to help them. You really need to act when they say, “I’m ready to go,” and we’re scrambling to make it happen.”

Angie Lyons
Program Coordinator, Hope House
THE IMPACT

“The majority of people struggling with substance abuse have an underlying issue of mental illness that’s either never been diagnosed or not correctly treated. And to get our young people in to see a counselor, the waits are long.”

Linda Ostewig
Director, The Landing Place
THE IMPACT

“You could go on for years about all the things she did for us, but it’s the stuff she missed, or we miss her for, or that she hasn’t been here for. Not seeing my graduation. I never expected that.”

AJ Muegge
THE IMPACT

“What I miss the most is not so much what we had, but what she’s not here for. We just had twins a year and a half ago, and it’s just wrenching to think that she didn’t get to hold those babies and be the grandma she was going to be.”

Joel Hungate
Success Stories
Learn MoreArrow Right Icon
Learn MoreArrow Right Icon
Learn MoreArrow Right Icon
Learn MoreArrow Right Icon
Did you know?
Mental illness and substance abuse can affect anyone.

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.

Untreated, it has far-reaching consequences.

It can lead to dropping out of school, unemployment, arrest, teen pregnancy, and premature death.

We need more firepower to win this fight.

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.

The first critical step to winning the battle against substance abuse and mental illness? Bringing the problem to light.
Start by downloading our brochure
Related Videos