BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- Dozens of educators and community leaders gathered at the GRREC Event Center to gain insight into mental health and substance abuse.
This event provided a platform for medical professionals, mental health advocates and Lt. Gov. Jaqueline Coleman to share crucial knowledge with those unsure how to respond to these issues.
As mental health advocate Ashley Wahler stated, “Education is key. If we can educate ourselves about addiction and mental health, we can be a better beacon of hope for people that are lost and struggling.”
Discussions focused on the stigma surrounding these topics and how providing solutions can help reduce the number of individuals facing addiction.
Dr. Joseph Martin, an emergency and family medicine physician, noted that “poor mental health goes hand in hand with addiction,” emphasizing the tendency to self-medicate.
The personal experiences shared during the event, along with the exploration of effective treatments, equipped community leaders with valuable tools. This newfound knowledge allows them to better support individuals struggling with mental health and addiction issues. Together, they aim to create a more informed and compassionate community.