Rooted & Rising focuses on understanding the needs and gaps of mental health services for people with developmental disabilities in Appalachian counties in Kentucky.
Rooted & Rising will enhance mental health services through training, community outreach, and partnerships. Its work will be guided by people with lived experience to ensure the voices of rural Kentuckians with developmental disabilities lead the work in making mental health supports and services easier to access.
Counties we serve: Adair, Bell, Breathitt, Casey, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Elliott, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Wayne, Whitley, and Wolfe
Learning Opportunities
Bridging the gaps in mental healthcare for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Kentucky’s Appalachian Region.
Who: Anyone interested in learning more about mental health and overcoming challenges faced by people with developmental disabilities.
What: Sessions are designed to provide practical resources to help bridge gaps in mental healthcare for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
When: Eight different sessions from March 18th – June 4th.
See details below.
Where: You can choose whether to join in-person or virtually.
In-Person Sessions will be offered at the Laurel County Health Department, 525 Whitley Street, London, KY
Virtual Sessions will be held on Zoom. You can register for virtual sessions using the links below.
Incentives are available for individuals residing in the following counties for each session attended:
Adair, Bell, Breathitt, Casey, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Elliott, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Wayne, Whitley, and Wolfe
Trauma and its Impact on Mental Health in People with Developmental Disabilities
March 18, 2026 (Wednesday)
In-Person
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
March 19, 2026 (Thursday)
Virtual
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST
Movement, Nutrition, & Sleep and their Impact on Mental Health
April 1, 2026 (Wednesday)
In-Person
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
April 2, 2026 (Thursday)
Virtual
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST
Relationships & Community Connections and their Impact in Mental Health
April 15, 2026 (Wednesday)
In-Person
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
April 16, 2026 (Thursday)
Virtual
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST
Employment and Its Impact on Mental Health
April 29, 2026 (Wednesday)
In-Person
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
April 30, 2026 (Thursday)
Virtual
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST
Autonomy, Choice and Mental Health
May 13, 2026 (Wednesday)
In-Person
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
May 14, 2026 (Thursday)
Virtual
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST
Self-Care for Families and Caregivers
May 20, 2026 (Wednesday)
In-Person
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
May 21, 2026 (Thursday)
Virtual
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST
Navigating Systems Related to Mental Health Care and Developmental Disabilities
May 27, 2026 (Wednesday)
In-Person
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
May 28, 2026 (Thursday)
Virtual
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST
Panel Discussion of People with Lived Experience
June 2, 2026 (Wednesday)
In-Person
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
June 3, 2026 (Thursday)
Virtual
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST
Articles
Rooted & Rising: Supporting Mental Health in Rural Kentucky
Press Release
Mental wellness is an important part of living a healthy, meaningful life. Experiencing good mental health helps people handle stress, build healthy relationships, and care for themselves and others…
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, reach out to Elizabeth Kries at elizabeth.kries@uky.edu.
This project is made possible by a grant from the Kentucky Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities (CCDD).