Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks New Era for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment in East Central Indiana

  On Wednesday, August 21st, Delaware County celebrated a significant milestone with the groundbreaking of a new mental health and addiction facility. This new facility, to be located near the Justice and Rehab Center, represents a major advancement in regional care and support for individuals struggling with mental health and addiction issues.

The project, a testament to collaborative effort and dedication, has received robust support from key Indiana legislators, including J.D. Prescott, Sue Errington, Elizabeth Rowray, and Scott Alexander. Local leaders, including Delaware County Commissioners, attorneys, judges, and community coalitions, have all played crucial roles in bringing this vision to life. The facility has already secured approximately $2.5 million for its first year of operations, ensuring a strong start to its mission.

Delaware County Commissioner Shannon Henry reflected on the significance of the new facility during the groundbreaking ceremony. “This is kind of a bittersweet day,” Henry noted. “A rehabilitation center is not really something you want to build. It’s something this region needs. You have got to have it for the people. It’s something we need…The people are still dying of overdoses…people still have mental health issues. It’s got to stop. We have got to do more for our people.”

Doug Huntersinger, Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment, and Enforcement and Chairman of the Indiana Commission to Combat Substance Use Disorder, emphasized the state’s commitment to addressing the drug epidemic. He acknowledged Rebecca Buhner, Deputy Director at the Division of Mental Health and Addiction, for her instrumental role in ensuring the project met statutory requirements for funding. 

Huntersinger highlighted that Governor Holcomb has prioritized combatting substance use, noting that Indiana experienced the second-highest decrease in overdose deaths nationwide, with an estimated 18% drop over 2022. The new facility will provide a crucial alternative to the justice system, addressing substance abuse and mental health challenges that often underpin behavioral issues.

Indiana Senator Scott Alexander praised the project, emphasizing its unique status as the only facility of its kind to receive state funding. “I can’t wait to get this facility up and running,” Alexander said, underlining the broad legislative support that has been pivotal in advancing this initiative.

The design of the new facility is being led by RQAW, an engineering consulting firm based in Fishers, Indiana. Pete Peterson, Vice President of Buildings and Places at RQAW Corp, shared his excitement about the project’s design. “The design we have here today, I think, will be a role model for the state,” Peterson remarked. “We’ve designed it to be expandable. Should a need continue, there are plans ready to go to expand this.”

Cory McConnell, Benefits Director at Wellpath, spoke about the benefits of having a local mental health provider within the facility. Wellpath will be providing mental health services, which McConnell noted would prevent the need for out-of-state recovery treatment, thus facilitating a more effective and timely recovery process for individuals in the region.

County Commissioner James King, who has firsthand experience with mental health and substance abuse cases through his work in law enforcement, expressed his satisfaction with the project. “Community is about building a place like this to help the ones in need, the ones that slip through the cracks and end up in the court system,” King stated. “We don’t want that here in Delaware County anymore. We want people getting the help they deserve.”

The groundbreaking of this new mental health and addiction facility marks a hopeful new chapter for Delaware County and the broader east central Indiana region, bringing much-needed resources and support to those in need and promising a brighter future for the community.