Kentuckians working to strengthen suicide prevention efforts across the state are invited to join the next statewide mental health roundtable, taking place May 12.
The sessions are hosted by the University of Kentucky Building Bridges to Farmer Mental Health project, based in the College of Education, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services through the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental & Intellectual Disabilities. Building Bridges, funded by a grant from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, was developed in response to growing mental health challenges in agricultural communities, where stigma, isolation and limited access to care can create barriers to support. The project expands mental health support in agricultural communities through training, community partnerships and improved access to trusted resources.
"Our mission is to ensure that research and knowledge are shaped in collaboration with communities and shared in ways that are meaningful and actionable across the state," said Melinda Ickes, Ph.D., associate dean for research, innovation, and community-engaged scholarship in the UK College of Education, professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, and principal investigator of the Building Bridges grant. "The launch of this network reflects that commitment. It creates space to learn from one another, codevelop solutions and strengthen partnerships to advance Kentucky."
The statewide mental health roundtables were launched in 2025 in response to feedback from partners and advocates across the Commonwealth who identified an opportunity to harmonize efforts and learn from others working in this important area. The upcoming virtual gathering builds on the momentum of the most recent roundtable, which brought together more than 100 professionals, advocates and community members to improve mental health outcomes. It included representatives from academic institutions, community-based organizations, state agencies, health systems and individuals with lived experience. They convened to share insights, strengthen collaboration and elevate lived experience in suicide prevention efforts.
"This roundtable is not just about others presenting their work - it is about creating space for meaningful dialogue," said Kylee Pipgrass, project coordinator for Building Bridges to Farmer Mental Health. "Seeing that level of active engagement and real-time connection across sectors is energizing. When we make room for intentional, fireside-style conversations, we move beyond updates and into relationship-building. That's where real collaboration and impact begin."
The conversation comes at an important moment for Kentucky. Based on the most recent 2024 data, Kentucky ranks 15th nationally in suicide rates, up from 17th - a shift that elicits increasing concern. Suicide disproportionately affects rural populations, and the burden of suicide is an especially pressing public health issue across the state.
Many of these communities also face limited access to mental health providers and services, further compounding risk and need for coordinated prevention, support and recovery efforts.
"Every year Kentucky loses roughly 800 people to suicide. These folks are not just numbers. They were loved, had families and were part of communities. Each loss is deeply felt and affects their community," said Beck Whipple, State Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental & Intellectual Disabilities.
Presentations at the previous session highlighted emerging trends in suicide data surveillance, ongoing intervention efforts across the state and the critical role of lived experience in shaping responsive strategies. Speakers discussed how real-time data monitoring, cross-sector partnerships and community engagement can inform more coordinated statewide action.
Speakers also emphasized the importance of supporting communities after a suicide loss - known as postvention - including connecting families with resources, strengthening local response networks and ensuring communities have pathways to healing and support. These conversations reflected the ways lived experience perspectives shape how Kentucky approaches prevention and recovery.
Organizers noted that while many attendees are already deeply engaged in mental health work, the roundtable provided a venue for alignment and connection.
"Over the past seven years, I've come to know a lot of the amazing people working in this space, and this roundtable has been an opportunity to give awareness to the work that's being done," said Whipple.
The roundtable included a discussion reflecting active networking, collaboration requests and expressed interest in joining ongoing project efforts. Participants exchanged resources, identified shared priorities and explored ways to strengthen connections among organizations already working to improve mental health outcomes across Kentucky.
The statewide roundtable is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Kentucky's mental health infrastructure through collaboration, information sharing and community-informed solutions.
The next roundtable will be 10:30 a.m.-noon Tuesday, May 12, on Zoom. Registration is open
