By Lacey Mills
Who Knew Reno County?
October is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to shine a spotlight on the wellness of our minds, not just our bodies. Here in Reno County, the numbers show this isn’t someone else’s concern, it’s ours. According to the Reno County Community Health Assessment, 49% of respondents identified mental health as a top-give community concern.
About 16% of adults report frequent mental-health distress (14+ poor mental health days per month), and among our youth, nearly 41% face frequent mental-health challenges. Meanwhile, roughly 23% of households say their overall mental health is only “fair or poor.”
These figures aren’t just statistics, they’re signals. They’re reminders that each of us may know someone who’s struggling, even if we don’t realize it. Mental health challenges can touch anyone, regardless of age, income, or background. They affect parents, teachers, neighbors, and friends. And yet, for far too many, the stigma surrounding mental health prevents reaching out for help, creating isolation that makes recovery even harder.
In response, our monthly meetings of the Reno County Mental Health Task Force bring together leaders from healthcare, education, business, civic groups, and faith communities to rethink how we talk about mental health, how we raise awareness, and how we reduce the stigma that so often prevents someone from seeking help.
Collaboration is key—by joining forces, we can identify gaps, share resources, and ensure that mental health services are accessible to everyone in our community.
Several incredible organizations are also leading the way in this effort:
Horizons Mental Health Center offers a wide range of services, but their Prevention, Education, and Outreach program stands out as a critical community resource. Through school-based prevention efforts, workplace education, and public training, the program helps people recognize the signs of mental health struggles before they become crises. Horizons also provides Personal Safety Awareness education, empowering youth and adults to understand boundaries, healthy relationships, and personal well-being. These programs don’t just provide tools—they give people the confidence to intervene early and support themselves and others.
Rise Up Reno focuses on building a healthy community through prevention and advocacy, including leading the Reno County Suicide Prevention Coalition. This coalition works tirelessly to educate the community, host awareness events, and connect those in crisis with lifesaving resources. By creating networks of support, Rise Up Reno ensures that help is available and accessible, even in moments of acute need.
Milestone Clubhouse supports adults living with mental illness in Reno County by helping them gain purpose, employment, and community connection. Their clubhouse model centers on belonging—creating a supportive space that rebuilds confidence and independence. Members not only receive guidance but also contribute to the community, reinforcing that recovery is strengthened through connection and participation.
Fight the Stigma, Inc., founded right here in Hutchinson, amplifies voices of lived experience. They host community events and campaigns that remind us all that mental illness doesn’t define a person—and that stigma only stands in the way of healing. By sharing real stories, they break down misconceptions and foster empathy across our community.
These organizations, and so many others, reflect what’s best about Reno County: people who care deeply and act quietly to make life better for others. They remind us that mental health is not just a personal issue, but a community responsibility.
As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, let’s take a moment to reflect on what we’ve learned, who we’ve reached, and how we can continue the conversation throughout the year. Let’s talk openly, listen without judgment, and remind each other that it’s okay not to be okay. You don’t have to be an expert to make a difference, just someone willing to care. Because when we face mental health challenges together, no one has to face them alone.
Who knew? Actually, now we do. And now, as we move forward beyond October, we act—as neighbors, as colleagues, as friends, and as a community. Mental health matters here in Reno County, and together, we can make sure that no one suffers in silence.
Lacey Mills is the Executive Director of United Way of Reno County and can be reached at lmills@uwrenocounty.org.