Southcentral Kentucky residents have an opportunity to take part in effecting positive change to the health of the region.

Until the end of October, residents can participate in the triennial community health survey, the results of which will be utilized by Barren River Initiative to Get Healthy Together (BRIGHT) nonprofit to help shape the best course to address, in particular, mental health in the region.

Nutrition was the 2022 assessment focus.

The survey is at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7248867/Community-Health-Assessment.

More than 1 in 5 American adults live with a mental illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control. More than 1 in 5, ages 13-18, “either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness,” according to the CDC website.

The site states the causes of mental illness: 

•Adverse childhood experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse (for example, child abuse, sexual assault, witnessing violence, etc.)

•Experiences related to other ongoing (chronic) medical conditions, such as a traumatic brain injury, cancer, or diabetes

•Biological factors or chemical imbalances in the brain

•Use of alcohol or drugs

•Having feelings of loneliness or isolation.

Participation is important to gather necessary data to gauge where the region stands in terms of needs. 

“That’s the idea of equity and making sure that all of the community members have the same access to health care, and making sure that all of our providers are helping to create equal access for the community members,” survey facilitator Amanda Reckard told the Daily News last week.

BRIGHT implements subsequent strategies in a community health improvement plan to target those priority areas. It gauges progress and communicates publicly through annual updates.

We encourage southcentral Kentuckians to take part in the survey so necessary tools can be devised and implemented.