Each May, we pause to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, but awareness alone is not enough.
This moment calls for action, compassion and a collective commitment to ensuring that no one in our community feels invisible in their struggle.
Here in Indiana, the data tells a story we cannot ignore. More than 1.26 million adults in our state are living with a mental health condition, and 1 in 5 Hoosiers experiences mental illness each year.
Even more sobering, 1,175 lives were lost to suicide in Indiana in 2024, and nearly 287,000 adults report having serious thoughts of suicide annually.
These are not just numbers – they are our neighbors, our co-workers, our friends and our family members.
The challenges extend beyond prevalence. Access to care remains a significant barrier.
Nearly 367,000 adults in Indiana reported needing mental health treatment but not receiving it, often as a result of cost or lack of available providers. In fact, every county in Indiana faces a shortage of mental health professionals, highlighting a system under strain and in urgent need of continued investment and support.
Closer to home, the picture in Allen County reflects both need and opportunity.
With a population of more than 381,000, it is estimated that more than 56,000 adults in Allen County experience mental illness each year. Among youth, the situation is equally concerning – 47% of middle school and high school students report experiencing depression, impacting more than 13,000 young people locally.
Additionally, the student-to-school counselor ratio in Allen County stands at 803:1, far exceeding recommended levels, underscoring the growing demand for support systems that meet people where they are.
And yet, amid these realities, there is hope.
Indiana has made measurable progress in recent years, improving its national mental health ranking and expanding resources such as the 988 Crisis Response System, which has seen significant increases in utilization and accessibility.
But progress does not mean the work is complete; it means the work must continue.
This is where each of us comes in.
Mental health is not solely the responsibility of clinicians, systems or policymakers. It is a community responsibility. It is about how we show up for one another in our homes, workplaces, schools and neighborhoods.
It can be as simple as checking in on someone.
Listening without judgment.
Offering presence instead of solutions.
This month, let us all commit to #bethereason someone feels seen.
Let us #bethereason someone feels heard.
Let us #bethereason someone chooses to keep going.
One meaningful way to take action is by engaging in community efforts that bring awareness, education and connection to the forefront.
Our community is fortunate to have a strong presence of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Local NAMI chapters play a vital grassroots role in supporting individuals and families impacted by mental health conditions. They often serve as a bridge to care by offering free support groups, educational programs, community awareness initiatives, advocacy, resource navigation and early intervention support.
NAMI chapters are frequently one of the most accessible entry points into mental health support, particularly for individuals who may not yet be ready for formal treatment or are unsure where to begin. Their work is grounded in meeting people where they are and reminding them they do not have to navigate their journey alone.
In addition, Stop Suicide Northeast Indiana (stopsuicidenow.org/) is a dedicated and active coalition providing trainings and resources throughout the community, with a mission of empowering others to show up during mental health challenges.
Mental health is not an abstract issue; it is deeply human. It is about dignity, connection and the fundamental need to feel valued and understood.
This May, let us move beyond awareness and into action.
Let us all be the reason.
Alice Jordan is director of Purdue University Fort Wayne’s Behavioral Health and Family Studies Institute and a member of the Indiana Suicide Prevention Coalition.