One in five Kentucky adults is told by a health provider that they suffer from some form of depression, according to the CDC. Only 47% of Kentuckian adults receive mental health treatment, yet around 4.7% of them suffer from a serious mental illness. According to the state’s own Lexington Herald, Kentucky ranked 49th out of all 50 states in a survey of well-being. Furthermore, the congressional district of the state ranked the lowest out of 434 nationwide districts. Fortunately, there’s help. No shortage of providers (or shortage of funds) should ever prevent you from getting the help you deserve. The following resources are free of charge, confidential, and available to all Kentucky residents. Help yourself or someone you love today.
The National Mental Health Hotline
If you need to connect with a mental health specialist, call 1-888-549-0513 right now. A trained professional will take your call and assist you however she or he can. A world of resources is waiting for you. The hotline is available to all US residents and operates on a 24/7 basis.
Suicide Hotlines Dot Net
The .net organization lists a multitude of free hotlines for Kentucky residents and can be found by clicking here. A few national hotlines are listed up top, but scroll down a bit to find a list of hotlines by county.
NAMI Helpline & More
The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides a wealth of resources, including the NAMI Helpline, which can be reached by calling 1-800-950-6264 or by emailing info@nami.org. Although the helpline is only available Monday through Friday from 10 AM until 8 PM EST, there is a 24/7 text line available. Simply text ‘NAMI’ to 741-741 for assistance.
Kentucky Mental Health Hotline Listings
988 Kentucky
Any Kentucky resident experiencing a mental health crisis can call 988 to connect with crisis intervention and mental health professionals. When you dial 988, your call is promptly routed to one of 13 call centers in the state. You’ll be connected to a professional who’ll listen, provide counsel and connect you to further help if needed. The service is available 24-7, and if no one is available to take your call, you’ll be routed to a national mental health helpline for prompt assistance. 988
Pennyroyal Center RESPOND Hotline
Another mental health hotline Kentucky residents can access is RESPOND. It’s available through the state’s nonprofit Pennyroyal Center. This 24-7 hotline is designed for individuals in crisis who need immediate intervention for a mental health crisis. This resource can also be accessed via text for those who may not be able to call. Call: (877) 473-7766 Text: “RESPOND” to 839863
Participation Station – Warm Line (Bluegrass Region)
This hotline is available between the hours of 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Although it’s not a suicide prevention hotline or crisis intervention line, this line does provide counseling services. Any Kentucky resident in need of someone to talk to can reach a caring peer through this resource. Although this hotline is available for individuals with mental illnesses, you don’t have to have a diagnosis to call and talk. Everything, including daily stressors, grief and loss, school and work issues and relationships, can be discussed confidentially on this line. (877) 840-5167
Participation Station – Warm Line (Lexington)
The same resource available to residents of Kentucky’s Bluegrass region is available to Lexington-area residents also. Although the service is the same, the hours for Lexington’s Warm Line are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. All Warm Line callers can rest assured that everything discussed is private and confidential. If you or a loved one is struggling with an issue — mental illness or otherwise — the compassionate counselors on the other end of the line may be able to help. (859) 252-0058
National Mental Health Hotline Listings
SAMHSA National Helpline
When in need of a crisis hotline, Kentucky residents can also call SAMHSA. This national helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to all U.S. residents in need of mental help. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline deals with common mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, and it’s there for those with substance abuse and addiction issues.
(800) 622-HELP (4357)
NAMI Helpline
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) operates a helpline staffed by caring, qualified volunteers. They’re available to take your call Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. You can call this line to discuss any mental health problem you or a loved one may be experiencing. The helpline volunteers listen and talk with you, and they can route you to the appropriate resources for additional help.
(800) 950-NAMI (6264)
Help Is Just a Call Away
Take the first step on your recovery journey by calling a Kentucky mental health hotline. Sometimes the first step is the hardest. The professionals at Mental Health Hotline understand that everyone needs help sometimes, and we’re here to provide it in your time of need. With the right resources in your corner, you can overcome mental health and substance abuse issues to discover a bright future waiting around the corner. Call us at (866) 903-8737 for confidential 24-7 assistance.