Community Health Network and Lifepoint Behavioral Health announced plans to build two new behavioral health hospitals in central Indiana.
The joint venture aims to address the growing need for behavioral health care in the region. The partnership follows a September announcement of the organizations’ intent to expand their collaboration to behavioral health.
Jason Fahrlander, Community Health Network Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the importance of this initiative.
“As the leading provider of behavioral health services in Indiana, Community is proud to expand access to care through innovative partnerships that address the growing needs of our communities,” he said. “Together, we are strengthening the behavioral health infrastructure across the state and ensuring Hoosiers receive the support they need, when and where they need it most.”
The plans include constructing two 120-bed hospitals in the greater Indianapolis area. These facilities will significantly increase the total number of behavioral health beds available and provide dedicated treatment spaces for patients with complex needs. The expansion responds to findings from the Community Mental Health Needs Assessment for Marion County, which reported that two-thirds of residents requiring treatment for serious mental illnesses did not receive it.
Dr. Geoffrey Fortner, Medical Director for Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health, highlighted the importance of meeting these needs.
“Community is deeply committed to responding to the needs of the communities we serve,” he said. “By understanding their challenges and priorities, we can deliver care that truly makes a difference, ensuring individuals and families have access to the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve.”
Construction on the hospitals is expected to begin in early 2026. Lifepoint Behavioral Health will oversee day-to-day operations once the facilities are completed.
Russ Bailey, president of Lifepoint Behavioral Health, shared his enthusiasm for the project.
“Expanding access to patient-centered specialty care is the driving force of this partnership and the work we do at a community level across the country,” he said. “We are pleased to build on our foundation with Community to bring more vitally needed services to central Indiana.”
Community Health Network and Lifepoint Rehabilitation currently operate several rehabilitation hospitals in the area through similar joint ventures. Lifepoint Behavioral Health, a business unit of Lifepoint Health, operates 24 behavioral health hospitals nationwide and offers evidence-based therapies tailored to various patient populations.
For more information about this initiative, visit eCommunity.com.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
