KOKOMO, IN / PRESS RELEASE – United Way serving Howard and Tipton Counties’ Board of Directors has announced a $22,684 grant to help fund Advocacy, a Mental Health America program.

Donations given through the Annual Fundraising Campaign, both individually and through workplace campaigns make this grant possible. United Ways’ donors helped reduce stigma and promote recovery to those living with mental illness through marketing, education and outreach.

“We are thankful for the United Way grant that will assist in furthering our organizations’ mission: to promote overall mental health, advocate for early intervention and empowerment for those living with mental illness through advocacy, education, research and services, said Jill McKibben, Executive Assistant and Program Director of Mental Health America of North Central Indiana. “The need for advocacy has increased exponentially over the last few years. Advocacy may encompass being a voice in the courtroom, retaining housing, and assisting in accessing and receiving needed mental health services, just to name a few. The funds received will also allow us to continue breaking down the barriers by educating individuals and professionals in our community to better understand, and interact with those living with mental illness.”

Mental Health America of North Central Indiana assists individuals referred by other organizations to find treatment, medication, legal assistance, housing and more. Through the advocacy program, MHA was able to increase their online screenings by over 15% to 182 screenings and increase their number of referrals and advocacy from 338 individuals in 2017 to 564 in 2018.

“We wish to thank our donors for making this grant possible and allowing us to help stop the stigma of mental illness in our communities,” said Jeff Young, Interim President & CEO of United Way serving Howard and Tipton Counties. “Mental Health is becoming a larger issue every day and we are happy that this program is helping educate the community on how to break down barriers to treatment and care.”

###