LightMHK

Goal: $7,500.00

Specific Need

Donations to help support our mission.

Mission

Our mission is to support the lives of people affected with mental health challenges. We offer resource opportunities to mental health providers, professionals, and projects in the Greater Wamego/Manhattan area.

Profile

Donors are integral to LightMHK’s success

LightMHK is a nonprofit funded through donations and led by a volunteer board of directors dedicated to mental health and wellness in the Greater Manhattan, Wamego & Junction City areas.

Many folks in our area cannot access or stay in mental health care due to cost and insurance barriers. Many cannot find a therapist. Many are reluctant to start care because of stigma.

A community that prioritizes mental health is healthier

LightMHK removes these barriers by offering resources to local mental health professionals and community projects to help cover care costs, strengthen programs, and promote mental health awareness.

Since mid-2024, LightMHK has helped thousands of people in our area learn about and access mental health care. Together, in partnership with professionals, community projects, and with the generous support of donors, LightMHK is making a significant impact in people’s lives.

Who can apply for a LightMHK grant?

Mental Health Professionals and Practices
Community Projects (organized clubs or groups) promoting mental health awareness

What are the LightMHK grant types?

Awareness Grants to support community projects promoting mental health awareness
Care Grants to cover the direct costs of mental health care
Strategic Grants to strengthen mental health programs

When are LightMHK grant applications open?

Spring Cycle: February 1 to April 30
Summer Cycle: May 1 to July 30
Fall Cycle: August 1 to October 31
Winter Cycle: November 1 to January 31

LightMHK's impact?

"Your generosity has made a profound impact, directly benefiting 18 individuals. Thanks to your support, several clients continued their therapy sessions despite significant financial challenges. Others were facing overwhelming stress due to high deductible insurance plans, loss of insurance, or financial hardships that made it impossible to pay deductibles. This grant has alleviated a great deal of that burden.” --Ethos Therapy and Life Coaching, Manhattan.

"Light MHK’s Mission and impact on the Greater Manhattan area is necessary and invaluable. I want to personally thank the organization for their impact on our community’s mental health care. At Pediatric Associates, the Light MHK grant is being used to improve access to behavioral health care, through a program that supplies research-based children’s self-help books to families. When one of our pediatricians identifies challenges with anxiety, sad mood, or stress, our behavioral health team will work with the pediatrician to offer advice and helpful materials to the family immediately. The funds received from Light MHK help me reach a personal Mission of helping as many children as possible with different levels of clinical service. Many children will benefit greatly from this first line of service made possible by Light MHK." --Pediatric Associates, Dr. Matthew Wassom, PhD

“This grant represents more than funding — it’s a lifeline. For incarcerated individuals, this grant will allow access to critical mental health care that can be the first step toward healing and rehabilitation. Through this grant, the partnership between Riley County Jail and Pawnee Mental Health has strengthened a shared commitment to treating mental health with dignity and compassion, ultimately building a safer, healthier community for all." --Pawnee Mental Health - Terra Upham - Director of Therapy Services

“I am so very pleased to accept this award from LightMHK. These funds will address a significant obstacle in seeking mental health treatment, as well as prevent persons from interrupting or ending their treatment prematurely because of loss of insurance due to job transitions. Thank you to the supporters of LightMHK!” --Lorrie Gfeller-Strouts, PhD., LCMFT --LGS Enterprises, PA

"The LightMHK grant funds we received are already being put to work, allowing multiple clients facing financial barriers to continue healing when they would have otherwise had to pause or delay treatment. When you're in the middle of deep work, you need to be able to stay consistent. As a small private practice with limited resources, we are so grateful!" --Pathways Trauma Therapy - Kathryn Thompson, LCMFT