On the final day of Suicide Prevention Month, Gov. Andy Beshear reminded Kentuckians that resources are available for those struggling with their mental health and that they are not alone.
"Today, and every day, I want Kentuckians to know there are resources if they need help," said Gov. Beshear. "Turning on the news or getting on social media right now can be overwhelming. Gas and grocery prices have gone up because of tariffs and this ongoing war of choice. Even as my administration is doing everything we can to help, I want Kentuckians to know it's OK to not be OK. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness."
Last week, the Governor announced $17 million in grant funds to support mental health and addiction services. Since the Beshear administration took office, the number of licensed mental health professionals in Kentucky has nearly doubled.
Since the state launched the three-digit 988 Lifeline in 2022, it has fielded 305,000 calls, chats and texts from Kentuckians. The in-state network of 14 community mental health centers answers calls in an average of 25.5 seconds, with a 36% increase in calls routed to in-state centers in the past year.
The administration also pointed to four straight years of declines in overdose deaths, crediting Medicaid addiction services, the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort, Narcan distribution, treatment grants, Recovery Ready Communities and law enforcement efforts. Kentuckians seeking addiction help can call the KY HELP Call Center at 833-8KY-HELP or visit FindHelpNowKy.org.
The Beshear-Coleman administration has awarded more than $40 million in grant funding to expand school-based mental health resources, and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman led a Student Mental Health Initiative.
"I am proud of the work the Beshear-Coleman administration has done to improve mental health resources throughout Kentucky," said Lt. Gov. Coleman. "I knew from my time in the classroom that student mental health was on the verge of being an epidemic. My office has focused on ensuring the future of Kentucky's economy – our students – have everything they need to flourish."
Gov. Beshear also signed House Bill 169, requiring health plans to cover diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders, and House Bill 178, defining a psychiatric collaborative care model in Kentucky.