Almost 112,000 Kentuckians received mental health care in fiscal year 2026, according to state data — and nearly 34% of them were under 18 years of age.
The Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities reports that 37,715 Kentuckians under 18 receive mental health care. Adults aged 18 to 64 make up around 61% of the total population, with 68,387 individuals receiving care, while those over 65 come in at just over 5%, with 5,886 clients.
Michelle Hawkins, clinical coordinator at Child Watch Counseling and Advocacy Center, said social media plays a big role in the number of children seeking mental health help.
“It is estimated 48% of teens believe that social media has had a negative impact on their peers, and it increases depression and anxiety,” Hawkins said.
Depression and anxiety are the two most common mental health disorders that Hawkins said the center sees.
“There is an increase and part of that has to do, again, with social media,” Hawkins said. “It also has to do with economic issues and children recognizing stress in the home, stress from their parents, difficulty knowing how to regulate that.”
Kristy Croft, site administrator for adult services at Four Rivers Behavioral Health, said children can have mental disorders passed down from their parents.
“Some of it is genetic, just hereditary,” Croft said. “Some of it is life circumstances that they’re dealing with, and sometimes it’s just maladaptive thinking.”
When potential mental health clients come in to a provider for treatment, they typically take a Patient Health Questionnaire, also known as a PHQ-9.
“The PHQ-9 is part of our initial assessment,” Croft said. “We are asking about mental health history, any previous diagnoses that they might be having, any symptomology, their health and family history, that kind of thing.”
Each question is scored 0 through 3 for a total range of 0 to 27. Croft said that a high score is not a diagnosis but rather a starting point for treatment.
“We read the test as it stands, but essentially, we hope that actually comes out between the clinician and the client through rapport,” Croft said.
Croft said the high numbers of Kentuckians receiving treatment could in part be attributed to a decrease in stigma.
“There’s a lot more awareness, and I hope that that makes people a little bit more comfortable,” Croft said.
Croft said communication is a major factor in overcoming mental health problems, and encouraged people to reach out to those they think may be struggling.
“Letting that person know this is a safe space, I’m a safe person, you can share anything with me that you might be going through,” Croft said. “I think there’s a lot to be said for just the catharsis of getting things off your chest.”
Hawkins said it’s important to continue battling the stigma of mental health disorders and to understand that it’s okay to not be okay.
“Don’t try to handle it on your own,” Hawkins said. “Seek help and know it’s okay.”