(Source: Governor Andy Beshear/ Facebook)
KENTUCKY(KBSI) -Gov. Andy Beshear says his administration has made significant progress to expand mental health care access across Kentucky.
From doubling the amount of licensed mental health providers available in the state to implementing services like the 988 Lifeline.
“Mental health is just as important as physical health, and Team Kentucky is taking action to expand access and help people of all ages feel supported through quality care,” said Gov. Beshear. “While May is Mental Health Awareness Month, this work is a yearlong effort for my administration, and we’re going to build on the progress we’ve made to protect more lives. To our fellow Kentuckians, please remember that it’s OK to not be OK – and more important, there is help.”
Since launching the 988 hotline in 2022 Kentucky has fielded 265,000 calls, chats and texts from Kentuckians. The in-state network of 14 community mental health centers has picked up phone calls at an average rate of 25 seconds. There has been a 30% increase in calls routed to in-state centers in the past year alone, meaning more Kentuckians are being helped by Kentuckians.
Call 988 | KY Suicide, Mental Health, & Substance Abuse Lifeline