Mental Health & Substance Use

Mental Health & Substance Use

Mental illness, including substance use disorder, is a common health condition in the United States. According to recent data, mental health needs are significantly on the rise, with a growing number of people reporting symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses. According to 2021 data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), one in five adults in the US suffers from a mental health condition. Suicide is also on the rise and is the leading cause of death among children and youth aged 10 to 24 in the country.

Mental health is a vital component of a person’s well-being. Mental health affects how we feel, think, and behave. Positive mental health allows people to handle stress, take care of their physical health, care for others, work productively, contribute to their communities, and realize their full potential. Untreated mental illness, including substance use disorder, negatively impacts individuals, families, and our community.

In 2018, HFL commissioned a study through the Center for Health Policy from the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health that assessed the burden of opioid addiction in La Porte County and identified the community’s needs and gaps in providing adequate prevention, treatment, and long-term recovery services. One of the recommendations from the La Porte County Opioid Study was to use evidence-based prevention programs in schools to prevent misuse before it occurs.

In response to the study’s recommendation, HFL launched Partners in Prevention (PiP) in January 2019. This grant initiative helped La Porte County schools implement evidence-based prevention programs. Over the course of 3 years, 11 Partners in Prevention grantees provided evidence-based programming to students in pre-K through grade 12 across 38 public and private schools. The Year 3 Final Evaluation Report, technical supplement, and infographic are available here.

In 2025, HFL will engage in research to learn more about the needs, opportunities, and gaps in funding for mental health and the prevention and treatment of substance use. In collaboration with community partners, HFL will use its findings and collaborate with partners to develop strategies to address mental health and substance use in La Porte County.