Updates
For more information, please call (785) 625-8865 or (785) 625-2453.

Vision & Mission
The mission of High Plains Independence, Inc. (HPII) is to promote the empowerment of our members to reach their life goals. Through peer support, we provide a drug, alcohol, and stigma-free environment with opportunities for leadership, education, training and research.

Primary Programs and Activities
Consumers with severe and persistent mental illness have a place that is safe and accepting, drug and alcohol free, and open during times the mental health center is closed. Some consumers lack the self-confidence needed to go into social and work settings. Others in the community do not really understand what it's like to have mental illness. We want to become involved in the community but we need a place to get started. Consumers sometimes lack opportunities to develop leadership and work skills. HPII offers chances to be heard and make choices about our lives. We have a place where our voice is listened to and we have a say in what goes on. This is how we are empowered and is important to our recovery.

Transportation is also a problem. We do not have public transportation and this contributes to our isolation. There are many stressful times where a friendly and understanding person who has experienced what we have gone through would be of great help. We need to have access to this support.

Many of the stressful times in a consumer's life occur at times when HPII or mental health care providers are not available. It would be of great help to have a friendly and understanding person to share experiences with during these times. Having the opportunity to call and talk with another consumer for support through a stressful time is something we need.

Meeting with other consumer run organizations is also a problem. There are many times when it would be very valuable to be able to get together with members of other consumer run organizations for support. These opportunities would benefit HPII and our consumers by sharing experiences, support and technical advice.

Contact Information
Lorin Trowbridge, Executive Director
765 East 41st St., PO Box 956
Hays, KS 67601
(785) 625-8865 or (785) 625-2453
ratman167669@yahoo.com