5/3/19 – 5:21 A.M.

A mental health program for area children is taking shape. Julie Brown is overseeing a $4 million grant for the Family Resource Center. She says they aim to have 24 families signed up for the program by the end of September.

Children involved in the project have to meet certain criteria. That includes mental health issues that affect areas of their life like school, or involvement in the juvenile justice system.

The program comes at a crucial time. A recent Hancock County Community Health Assessment showed that 25 percent of the kids surveyed felt sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks in a row. Twelve percent had seriously considered attempting suicide, and 6 percent had attempted suicide.

For more information, you can call 419-422-8616.

MORE: A look at what is causing mental health issues for area kids.