History & Timeline of MHA

1953 - Mrs. Getrude (Ralph) Norman. Mrs. Vickie (Hugh) Weaver, Mrs. Thelma (W.R.) Cummins, and Mrs. Thelma (George) Stephenson established the Hendricks County chapter of MHA.

1965 - Office opened in the Lawyers’ Building in Danville. President Mrs. Ruth Jones, Brownsburg High School Band, went to Logansport State Hospital to perform for residents.

1966 - 27 patients at Central State Hospital "adopted".

1967 - Mental health license plates available for 75 cents.

1968 - 18 students at Opportunity Cottage in Danville.

1969 - Treasurer’s report reflected a balance of $3.95.

1970 - 927 gifts were presented to Muscatatuck Hospital through Gift Lift.

1971 - State Mental Health Association seeking pledges for new offices. Chapter to pledge $100 for next 10 years. Discussion about community mental health center.

1973 - Articles of Incorporation filed for community mental health center.

1975 - Information booth at county fair and Swap and Shop days. Childhood Mental Illness committee.

1976 - Gold Teens, that have been active for several years, built a float for Bicentennial.

1977 - 317 members of MHAHC.

1978 - Edwina Waldbeiser started parenting classes.

1979 - HB 1802 funding for rehabilitative programs. MHA supported.

1980 - United Way allocated MHA $13,342.

1981 - Mothers workshop held at Avon Christian Church.

1982 - "Chain to Be Broken" film part of library.

1983 - Program director hired to help Executive Director and Executive Secretary.

1984 - ’Thumbody Special" program offered to 1-4 graders.

1985 - Membership and fundraising efforts for the year totaled $2,600.

1986 - Stress testing done at Senior Center.

1987 - Teen suicide program at Kingsway Christian Church.

1988 - Care and Share support group for depression held first meeting.

1989 - Joint program for latch key kids and holiday grief with county extension office.

1990 - Wreath sales began, Drop-in Center started, Executive Director 16-20 hours per week.

1991 - Volunteer Coordinator position established.

1992 - Support group for grief began

1993 - 99.6% of funding comes from United Way, 1,500 pamphlets were distributed.

1994 - Education Director hired, closing of Central State hospital.

1995 - Move to offices at Cummins

1996 - 9,865 report card inserts were sent out with county students.

1997 - $1,500 matching grant for ‘Kids On the Block"

1998 - Attention Deficit Support Group

1999 - "Moyers on Addictions’ series

2000 - You and Your Aging Parent" program presented.

2001 - "Helping Children Through the Divorce" continues as a court ordered program.

2002 - Annual budget is $143,000, 37,000 pieces of literature distributed, 7,780 residents served. Capital Campaign begins!

©2003 Mental Health America of Hendricks County  All Rights Reserved