Second Voices & Vision event brings community together to advance rural mental health and suicide prevention in Southeast Kentucky

On Thursday, Sept. 10, community leaders, healthcare providers, educators, advocates, and residents from across Southeast Kentucky gathered for the second annual Voices & Vision event, hosted by Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA) and the Whitney/Strong Organization, to address one of the region's most pressing challenges: improving access to mental health care and preventing suicide in rural communities.

This year's event, Voices & Vision: Suicide Awareness and Prevention – Rural Mental Health & Access to Care, brought together professionals and community members for a day of conversations focused on reducing stigma, strengthening support systems, and identifying practical solutions to help individuals and families access the care they need.

"CDC data shows that in 2021 the suicide rate was 21.7 per 100,000 in the most rural counties, compared with 11.6 per 100,000 in large metropolitan counties—nearly twice as high,” said Jennifer Hancock, VOA Mid-States President and CEO. “This isn't a problem that belongs to mental health professionals alone. It belongs to all of us. Every one of us can learn to recognize warning signs. Every one of us can learn how to start a difficult conversation. Every one of us can learn how to connect someone to help.”

Throughout the event, speakers and panelists discussed the unique barriers rural communities face, including provider shortages, transportation challenges, isolation, economic pressures, and limited access to behavioral health services.

Attendees heard a keynote presentation from Landon Minor, M.S., and Taylor Brown, M.A., M.S. from the EKU Trauma and Suicide Prevention Clinic. They also gained insights from a panel discussion on strategies to improve rural mental health care.

“It can cause anxiety for us to approach these subjects, because society tells us that maybe we shouldn’t talk about it. That’s a stigma that flies around and can shut down conversation,” Minor said. “It really is a benefit to talk about this stuff and provide anyone a safe space to share their experiences.”

The event also featured remarks from Senator Brandon Storm, who represents the region in the Kentucky Senate and serves as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Speaking to attendees, Senator Storm underscored the importance of bringing communities together to address mental health challenges and support individuals and families across Kentucky.

“Families often don’t know where to turn,” he said. “It’s very important for people who are in that mental health crisis to understand that you’re not pushing them somewhere, you’re walking with them somewhere.”