Hate hurts communities. Bias crimes affect the mental health of everyone.

Friday, October 4, 2024

Dear Zionsville Community,

Since its inception, the Zionsville Alliance for Mental Wellness (Zamwell) has been a beacon for all members of our community in providing education and resources, navigating challenging details of accessing care, and softening the resistance to conversations about ongoing issues related to mental health.

As an organization, Zamwell is acutely aware of factors impacting the wellbeing of our town as a whole. We have our ears open, listening to the current concerns of those who call Zionsville home. We believe that the pulse of our community is positively impacted when we all prioritize taking care of what makes us thrive as a whole. We notice the circumstances that make us better, as well as those that damage our community.

Zamwell is committed to creating awareness regarding malicious actions toward individuals in our community. As much as we all would like to believe that Zionsville is without hostile wrongdoings, it is a harsh reality that these blatant offenses do occur here in our town.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, at the federal level, hate crime laws include crimes committed on the basis of the victim’s perceived or actual race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. Hate crimes not only affect the targeted individuals, they have a tremendous impact on families and communities. The emotional and mental health effects on victims of hate or bias crimes are: anxiety, depression, PTSD, emotional suppression, substance use, and suicide (which is 4-5 times higher in those who identify as LGBTQ+). Often suffering in silence, people experience alienation, isolation, and fear, which often results in hesitation in reporting being a victim of offenses.

Zamwell recognizes that to increase awareness, provide resources, and encourage reporting of hate and bias crimes, it is essential to know the negative consequential impact of these abhorrent actions. Zamwell stands for optimizing and promoting mental wellness in Zionsville, in hopes to create positive change for individuals and our community.

Signed,
The Zionsville Alliance for Mental Wellness Board of Directors
Amber Nunes, Carrie-Ann Jordan, Dr. Alex Choi, Sandy Snodgrass, Dr. Courtney Ward, and Nick Plopper, with Kristen Bitzegaio, Executive Director

If you believe you are a victim or a witness of a hate crime, we encourage you to report it to the Zionsville Police Department at 317-873-5967 and the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting a tip at tips.fbi.gov. You may remain anonymous.
To learn more: https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes

Visit www.Zamwell.org for resources & a list of local mental health providers.