FRANKFORT — Building on the success of Kentucky’s first mental health summit, the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health will host nine town hall meetings in communities across the state Aug. 30-Nov. 29.

The meetings are being held to garner input for changing how the justice system addresses people with challenges involving mental illness, substance use and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The commission wants to hear from people and/or their families with lived experience in this area, as well as business owners, civic leaders and anyone else interested.

The meetings will include open discussion and specific questions to get feedback. Findings will help guide the commission and associated groups’ work and design training for the state court system and its justice partners.

Those who cannot attend but want to share experiences navigating the courts or the behavioral health system can do so by emailing JCMH@kycourts.net. ASL interpreters will be provided. For other language or accessibility needs, email JCMH@kycourts.net.

The Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health was established in August 2022 by Supreme Court Administrative Order 2022-42. The KJCMH is charged with exploring, recommending and implementing transformational changes to improve systemwide responses to justice-involved people with mental health challenges, substance use issues and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities. ​

More than 1,000 people attended the commission’s Mental Health Summit this spring in Louisville, making it what may have been the largest gathering of mental-health-involved legal professionals ever to take place in Kentucky.

The Administrative Office of the Courts provides administrative support to the commission. The AOC is the operations arm of the state court system and supports the activities of nearly 3,300 employees and 413 elected justices, judges and circuit court clerks. The AOC also executes the Judicial Branch budget.

Town Hall Schedule

All town hall meetings will take place from 6-8 p.m. local time.

Aug. 30 – Owensboro, Owensboro Convention Center, 501 W. Second St.

Sept. 6 – Covington, Northern Kentucky Convention Center, 1 W. Rivercenter Blvd.

Sept. 13 – Ashland, Delta Marriott Downtown, 1441 Winchester Ave.

Sept. 27 – London, London Community Center, 529 S. Main St.

Oct. 11 – Lexington, Central Bank Center, 430 W. Vine St.

Oct. 25 – Paducah, Paducah McCracken County Convention & Expo Center, 415 Park Ave.

Nov. 8 – Louisville, Kentucky International Convention Center, 221 S. Fourth St.

Nov. 15 – Pikeville, Appalachian Wireless Arena, 126 Main St.

Nov. 29 – Bowling Green, Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace