RiverValley Behavioral Health, Owensboro Health, and the Green River District Health Department have partnered to form the Green River Regional Mental Health Collaborative, a unified effort to address mental health challenges and enhance overall wellness across western Kentucky.
Through the new partnership, leaders from each organization will meet monthly to assess community needs, identify gaps in care, and align resources — with a focus on reaching rural and underserved communities. The goal is to treat mental health as a vital part of overall health.
“Mental health is not separate from physical health; it is fundamental to it. We can’t expect to improve our community’s health without prioritizing mental well-being,” said Dr. Wanda Figueroa-Peralta, RiverValley Behavioral Health President and CEO. “When we address mental health, we are also addressing chronic disease, substance use, maternal health, and countless other health outcomes that are interconnected. This Collaborative allows us to tackle these issues more effectively together. By breaking down silos and addressing mental health as a vital part of community health, we are working toward a healthier, more resilient region.”
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, more than 3 million Kentuckians live in areas with a shortage of mental health professionals, and barriers such as stigma, lack of awareness, and financial concerns often prevent people from getting help — challenges that are especially severe in rural areas.
RiverValley Behavioral Health and Owensboro Health have already spent three years providing CredibleMind, a free mental health and wellness platform, to the public. Now, the new regional collaborative plans to expand awareness of CredibleMind and promote resources like the 988 Crisis Lifeline to encourage people to seek help and reduce stigma.
“Owensboro Health recognizes the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing as a part of one’s overall health. Forming this Collaborative was an objective under the OH Strategic Imperative, Partnering with Our Communities and with RiverValley’s leadership, alongside the Green River District Health department, we are working together to impact mental health in the communities we serve — every individual, every family, every organization, one person at a time,” said Debbie Zuerner, Owensboro Health Director of Community Engagement.
The partnership has also launched HealthyMindsKY.org, a new digital hub that connects residents to 24/7 mental health resources like CredibleMind and the 988 Lifeline. The site also houses a public awareness campaign toolkit with free promotional materials encouraging people to view mental health care as a sign of strength and to normalize conversations about it.
“We are honored to join forces with Owensboro Health and River Valley Behavioral Health in a unified effort to promote mental health awareness and well-being within our community. Through this partnership, we aim to amplify the conversation around mental health, reduce stigma, and ensure that individuals have access to the support and resources they need,” said Clayton Horton, Public Health Director for the Green River District Health Department.
For more information and free resources, visit healthymindsky.org.
