The Junior Mental Health Association, founded in 1963 by Louise Whiting Fryer has a distinguished history of service in the city of Evansville, Indiana. It was the first junior Mental Health Association in the nation. On May 9, 1996 the JMHA in Evansville received its own charter from the Junior Mental Health America of Indiana, Inc., thus making us the first State chapter as well as the model for the entire nation.

PURPOSE: Good mental health through prevention, which begins and is nourished by education. The Junior Mental Health Association serves 6th, 7th and 8th grade students m Vanderburgh County in addition to high school students, who serve as mentors to the middle school students. MEETINGS: Students meet monthly, every third Monday of the month, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at Noble Romans’ Pizza in Ross center. At these “RAPPIN” meetings professionals speak on topics such as self-esteem, peer pressure, substance abuse, problems at home, eating disorders, sexually transmitted diseases, grief and suicide. Free pizza and soft drinks are provided.

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES of the JMHA
Parties and events at the Evansville Psychiatric Children’s Center, Evansville State Hospital and the area nursing homes, serving and preparing food and decorating the halls at the two local Soup Kitchens for major holidays, assisting with telethons for Muscular Dystrophy Association, producing an Annual Style Show and other community service projects as needed.

PUPPET SHOWS in schools and civic organizations:
The JMHA owns a number of educational puppets from “Kids on the Block”. Our students can become trained puppeteers promoting good mental health and sound decision making throughout the area schools, both lower and middle schools. School and civic performances can be arranged by request.

Junior Mental Health Association Creed

We the members of the Junior Mental Health Association of Evansville Indiana, dedicate ourselves to further the development of good mental health in our community, our families and within ourselves. We strive to be role models to the youth through our involvement within our community. An important part of our organization is professional volunteerism and the idea that giving something back to the community is imperative. Through our unique contribution of education and community service, teens learn about the stigma associated with mental illness. They also familiarize the public (their family and peers) with the methods used in care and treatment of persons who are emotionally impaired. Last but not least, we commit ourselves to the concept of “teens helping teens” to overcome some of the trials and tribulations of youth and to assist in development to adulthood. The long range goal of Junior Mental Health Association is to build future adult volunteers and community leaders who will be free of the stigma others associated with mental illness.