Hancock County has officially opened the Green Family Foundation Behavioral Health Services building, a new facility aimed at consolidating mental health and substance misuse services. This development is a significant step toward enhancing access to mental health care and crisis response for residents in the area. The center is designed to improve collaboration among health services, reduce the number of individuals incarcerated for mental health-related issues, and make care more accessible for families within the community.
Located at 156 Muskegon Drive in Greenfield, the center brings together previously dispersed services under one roof. According to Amanda Everidge, the executive director of behavioral health services at Hancock Health, this integration is essential for fostering better cooperation among the various programs offered. “We are in the Green Family Foundation Behavioral Health Services building. It’s very, very special,” Everidge noted during the opening.
The facility houses a range of services, including outpatient mental health care, substance misuse programming, and crisis response services. For the first time, Hancock Health’s counseling and psychiatric services, the Connection Center, and the Mobile Response Team will operate from the same location. “It facilitates better collaboration,” Everidge explained, highlighting the benefits of having all services in a single facility.
Local law enforcement officials are optimistic about the center’s potential impact. Capt. Bridget Foy, jail commander for the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, remarked that the new center simplifies the process of connecting individuals in need with resources. “It’s just one phone call as opposed to trying to research how can, who in this, in the community,” she stated. Foy expressed hope that the expanded access to care will lead to a reduction in the number of people incarcerated for mental health issues, emphasizing, “Not everybody deserves to go to jail.”
The center is also a significant development for families seeking mental health care for children. Dr. PJ Halter, a longtime pediatrician in the area, noted the pressing need for local mental health services. “The increase in mental health concerns has risen tremendously over the last decade,” he said. Previously, many families were forced to travel to Indianapolis for treatment, which posed significant challenges. The establishment of this center means families can now receive essential services closer to home.
Everidge confirmed that the co-location of these services will allow for future growth. “It’s going to allow us to meet the needs as we’re able to work together a little bit easier,” she stated, indicating plans to expand both the services offered and the staffing levels to better serve the community.
Funding for this multi-year project came from county support and the $4.5 million Mental Health Campaign and Substance Use Treatment Campaign led by the Hancock Health Foundation, with substantial backing from the Green Family Foundation. This investment underscores a commitment to enhancing the mental health landscape in Hancock County.
The opening of the Green Family Foundation Behavioral Health Services building marks a critical advancement in the county’s approach to mental health care. By consolidating resources and expanding access, Hancock County leaders aim to create a supportive environment that addresses the growing mental health needs of its residents.
