Fishers Health Department releases Community Health Improvement Plan

Submitted by Fishers Health Department

The Fishers Health Department (FHD) has released its 2026 Community Health Improvement Plan, the next step following last year’s Community Health Assessment.

The new plan focuses on three areas where FHD and community partners can work together to improve health and well-being:

• Mental Health for All Ages, with a Priority Focus on Youth and Families
• Social Connection and Belonging Across the Lifespan
• Community Resource Navigation and Connection System

The priorities build on the 2025 Community Health Assessment, which was developed through a year-long review of local, state, and national health data, nearly 1,500 community survey responses and input from more than 60 focus group participants. After the assessment was completed, more than 230 additional residents helped prioritize areas for action, and a steering committee representing health care, behavioral health, education, public safety, social services, local government, and other community organizations helped shape the final plan.

Fadness

“Fishers has always approached growth by bringing the right people to the table and finding practical ways to improve quality of life,” Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said. “This plan builds on that approach by focusing on what matters most to residents and where the city, our Health Department, and our partners can work together.”

The plan focuses on needs identified in the Community Health Assessment. Mental health was the community’s top health priority, with mental health-related emergency room visits increasing 73 percent among adults ages 20 to 29 and 24 percent among residents under age 20 since 2020. More than one in four Fishers adults experience social isolation, and residents also reported challenges knowing what resources are available and where to start when they need help.

FHD has already begun expanding programs and services in response to these needs. Last month, the department launched a free Mental Health Navigation service to help residents understand their options and connect with mental health resources and treatment. FHD also offers mental health education and prevention programs, including Mental Health First Aid and suicide prevention trainings, and plans to continue growing opportunities that support mental well-being across all ages. Through its Aging Well programs, FHD also provides classes and activities designed to help older adults stay connected, active, and engaged in the community.

Heltz

“Our Community Health Assessment told us what the needs are. This plan helps us narrow that down to areas where FHD and our partners can focus our efforts,” said Monica Heltz, Director and Health Officer of the Fishers Health Department. “The goal is to build on work already happening in Fishers, strengthen partnerships and make it easier for residents to connect with support.”

The Community Health Improvement Plan focuses on resident priorities that require collaboration with community partners, while FHD’s broader strategic plan, to be released later this year, guides the department’s overall work. The plan also supports FHD’s initial accreditation efforts through the Public Health Accreditation Board.

Over the next three years, FHD and community partners will put the priorities into action through new and expanded programs. In 2027, FHD plans to launch additional mental health education opportunities, including programs designed to reach parents and caregivers of young children, while continuing work with local behavioral health providers to improve access to care. FHD is also beginning to develop a social ambassador model that will use trained community volunteers to help connect residents with programs, services, and opportunities for social connection. These and other efforts will be tracked and updated as community needs change.

View the full Community Health Improvement Plan here and learn more about the Fishers Health Department at Health.FishersIN.gov.