State health initiative focuses on mental health, a condition that impacts nearly 1 in 4 adults
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
The focus of April’s “Our Healthy Kentucky Home” initiative is mental health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one in four adults reported having a mental health condition in 2023, which equates to more than 61 million Americans.
Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack stressed the importance of good mental health at an April 3 news conference, calling it “an integral component of overall health and well-being” that impacts every part of our lives.
“Good mental health allows people to cope with life stressors, maintain a positive self-image, have healthier relationships, improve productivity and enhance overall quality of life,” he said.
“Mental health conditions, such as depression, increase the risk for many types of physical and chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke,” he said. “Similarly, the presence of these chronic conditions can increase the risk of developing a mental health condition.”
Stack encouraged Kentuckians at every stage of life to incorporate lifestyle changes into their daily routines to improve their mental health.
For example, he said research shows that eating healthy foods is associated with a reduced risk of mental health conditions.
“High consumption of fruits, vegetables and nuts, moderate consumption of poultry, eggs and dairy products, and only occasional consumption of red meat can have a lasting positive impact on your mental health,” he said. “Even small dietary changes can make a big difference.”
Further, he said regular physical activity helps to improve mental health.
“Increasing physical activity can reduce feelings of anxiety and help you sleep better,” he said. “Try starting small consistently, including 30 minutes of moderate physical exercise at least three times a week is a great way to reduce your risk.”
He also encouraged Kentuckians to stay connected to others as a way to improve mental health and to talk to friends, neighbors and loved ones about their feelings and concerns.
“Engaging with others and having strong social connections is crucial to mental health,” he said. “Strong social ties can help manage stress, reduce anxiety and depression and lead to a longer, healthier life.”
The Our Healthy Kentucky Home website includes links to mental health resources, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which offers access to trained counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress no matter where they live by calling or texting 988 or by visiting 988lifeline.org. The service is available 24/7.
“It’s OK to not be OK,” Stack said. “It’s important to remember that there is hope if you or a loved one is dealing with a mental health-related distress or crisis. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline is a resource available to you.”
The “Our Healthy Kentucky Home” initiative is a one-year program to improve Kentuckian’s health. The overarching goals of the state initiative are for Kentuckians to eat two servings of fruits and vegetables daily, to exercise at least 30 minutes three times per week, and to engage with others and stay connected. In addition, it will focus on a different health topic each month.