Fishers’ Mental Health Initiative is celebrating the close out of phase one, as its efforts toward growing awareness for mental health builds leading into phase two. While phase one sought to improve education and training, and enhance local resources and access to service; phase two will focus heavily on changing the culture and stigma around mental health. Phase two formally kicks off during Stigma Free Fishers Week this August.
“During phase one, our team achieved wins on the tactical side,” explained Mayor Scott Fadness. “Now that we’ve addressed gaps in our community paramedicine program, crisis intervention and the role of first responders during a crisis; we’ve got to turn our attention to changing the culture and policy around mental health. How do we get this conversation to the dinner table inside each resident’s household?”
Stigma Free Fishers Week kicks off on Wednesday, August 2nd with an interfaith, community prayer gathering hosted by Grace Community Church. The prayer service begins at 7 p.m. and takes place at the Nickel Plate District AMP. Events continue the following week, and festivities include:
- A special address during intermission of the Tuesday Night Concert Series on August 8th,
- Three dine-to-donate events in support of the Peyton Riekhof Foundation for Youth Hope on August 9th and 10th,
- A Hope for Happiness event on August 11th, hosted by the Stigma Free HSE High School club ft. local band, Dave & Rae, and
- A weekend of free evenings that include a Jason’s Race 5K Run and Walk, incentives to unplug at local parks and a community movie night featuring Inside Out.
Details about schedule activities can be found online at
www.Fishers.in.us/StigmaFree along with the 2017 Mental Health Report released July 24th. Attendees are encouraged to use the hashtag #StigmaFreeFishers to share how they’re uniting along the mental health initiative and those suffering from mental health issues.