Why Mental Health Collaboration Matters: A Conversation with Michelle Gilchrist
Mental health and substance use challenges in Bloomington and Monroe County have reached a crisis point. Indiana ranks 41st in the nation for mental health outcomes, and nearly 21% of adults in our region are experiencing some form of mental illness. Many of them never receive the care they need. This isn’t just a health issue—it’s a community-wide challenge that affects families, businesses, and the local economy, costing Indiana $4.2 billion annually in lost productivity, health care costs, and social services.
Recognizing the urgent need for a coordinated approach, Bloomington Health Foundation (BHF) launched the Mental Health Collaborative, a first-of-its-kind initiative bringing together local businesses, service providers, nonprofits, and government leaders to create real, sustainable solutions. To understand why this work is so critical, what progress has been made, and how the community can help drive change in 2025, we sat down with Michelle Gilchrist, President & CEO of BHF.
Q: Why did BHF decide to launch the Mental Health Collaborative?
For years, we’ve seen the impact of untreated mental illness and substance use in our community. It’s everywhere—in the workplace, in our schools, in the rise of homelessness, in families struggling to support loved ones. The problem isn’t that people don’t care. In fact, we have so many incredible organizations working hard to provide services. But for the longest time, they’ve been working in silos. We knew that if we really wanted to move the needle on mental health outcomes, we had to bring everyone to the same table.
In late 2023, we hosted the Mental Health Summit, where leaders from businesses, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, and government agencies came together to assess the challenges and explore solutions. That conversation was a wake-up call. We heard directly from service providers who are overwhelmed with demand, from business leaders who are seeing the toll mental health is taking on their employees, and from people with lived experience who have struggled to access care. From there, the Mental Health Collaborative was born—a multi-year, multimillion-dollar effort to drive lasting change.
Q: What progress has been made so far?
Seeing how much momentum we’ve built in such a short time has been incredible. One of our biggest accomplishments has been identifying a coalition of Community Health Navigators—people with lived experience who help guide individuals through the mental health system. When someone is struggling, especially in a crisis, they need a trusted person who can walk alongside them, not just hand them a list of resources and hope for the best.
We’re also making strides toward a universal tracking system allowing service providers to share information and coordinate care more efficiently. Right now, different organizations are using different tracking tools, creating huge communication gaps. A shared system will help reduce redundancies and make sure people don’t fall through the cracks.
Another major focus has been expanding access to care. Through our partnerships, we’ve helped organizations like HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program bring on additional mental health practitioners, allowing them to expand their services from one day to five days a week. That’s a game changer for people who rely on that care.
And then there’s the work being done around integrated reentry support. We know that many individuals cycling through the criminal justice system are struggling with mental illness and addiction. We’re working with local leaders to explore Integrated Reentry and Correctional Support (IRACS) teams, which would provide peer mentorship and support for individuals navigating reentry, helping them stay connected to care and avoid falling back into crisis.
Q: What are the biggest challenges that still need to be addressed?
The two biggest barriers we continue to face are access to care and stigma. There simply aren’t enough mental health providers in our community to meet the growing demand, and affordability remains a huge issue. Even for those who want help, navigating the system is overwhelming. We hear from people always saying they don’t even know where to start. That’s why a big part of our work is focused on expanding crisis services, building stronger referral networks, and advocating for policy changes that make mental health care more accessible.
The other challenge—one that’s just as important—is breaking the stigma that still surrounds mental health. Too many people suffer in silence because they’re afraid of being judged or don’t believe their struggles are “serious enough” to seek help. The reality is, mental health is health. We need to start treating it with the same urgency as physical health. That’s why we’re engaging businesses, social programs, families, and policymakers to change the conversation and create a culture where mental well-being is prioritized.
Q: What’s next for the Mental Health Collaborative in 2025?
This year is all about scaling up our efforts. We’re working to secure MOAs from partner agencies to push forward and establish our Community Health Navigator network, so more people have access to that one-on-one guidance when they need it most. We’re also launching a centralized Mental Health Resource Hub—a dedicated platform where residents, families, and service providers can access mental health information and support easily.
Q: How can people take action today?
The mental health crisis affects all of us in some way. Whether you’re a business leader, a parent, a healthcare provider, or just someone who cares about the well-being of this community, there are so many ways to help.
One of the most impactful ways is through financial support. The work we’re doing requires sustained funding, and donations—whether from individuals, businesses, or foundations—help us expand these critical programs. Beyond that, people can get involved by advocating for better mental health policies, discussing mental health openly in their circles, and encouraging workplaces to adopt more supportive practices.
At the end of the day, this isn’t just about healthcare. It’s about building a stronger, more resilient Bloomington—a place where people feel supported, where they can thrive, and where mental health is treated as a community priority. No one organization can fix this alone, but together, we can create lasting change.
Join the Collaborative
The Mental Health Collaborative is a chance for businesses, nonprofits, and residents to come together and take meaningful action. If you’re ready to be part of the solution, we invite you to join us. To learn more or get involved, visit BHF’s website or contact our team today at info@bloomhf.org.