Past Events

Recovery Rally at the Capitol

Sep 5, 2025, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

In honor of Recovery Month, members of Kentucky's recovery community, state leaders, and health officials hosted a Recovery Rally event at the State Capitol in Frankfort on Friday, September 5, 2025. The event featured inspirational stories of hope and resilience along with free access to naloxone, information about recovery support programs, second chance employment, health care access and other resources from community partners. The event was coordinated by the Kentucky Overdose Response Effort (KORE) and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

colorful graphic sketch of chicago skyline

2025 National Conference on Tobacco or Health

Aug 25–28, 2025

The National Conference on Tobacco or Health will take place August 25-28, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Bassema AbuFarsakh, BH WELL Post Doctoral Scholar, will give a breakout session presentation titled "Tobacco use status and Perception about Novel Tobacco Treatment Information". The breakout session is comprised of 3 presentations, each related to the session's theme: Tobacco Cessation Strategies for Specific Populations. This session will take place August 27th, 1:45PM - 3PM.

KY STARS Consumer Conference

May 30, 2025, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

The Kentucky Consumer Conference is an annual gathering of over 400 individuals living with mental illness from across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The 2025 KY STARS Consumer Conference was held on May 30, 2025 at the Clarion Hotel in Lexington, KY. This years theme was Breaking Barriers & Building Bridges. The conference included dynamic workshops designed for Consumers, Kentucky Peer Support Specialists, professionals in Consumer-Operated Service Programs, and those in Substance Use Programs.

Strategies in SUD Treatment and Behavioral Health Mini Conference

May 9, 2025, 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM

The Laurel County Health in Motion Coalition hosted a mini conference to discuss strategies for Substance Use Disorder treatment with regards to behavioral health on Friday, May 9 2025. BH WELL hosted a vendor table at the mini conference. Agenda topics included: Youth Engagement in Prevention Efforts - Virginia Johnson, CPS Developing an Overdose Fatality Review Board - Lauren Kathman, NKYHD

2025 Practice and Research Initiatives Showcase at Eastern State Hospital Enhancing Mental Healthcare Access: Bridging the Gaps

Apr 24, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

The ESH Research Council hosted their annual Practice and Research Initiatives Showcase at Eastern State Hospital (PRISE) on April 24th, 2025 from 9AM-4PM EST. This year’s showcase focused on Enhancing Mental Healthcare Access: Bridging the Gaps. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the innovative research and practice initiatives that strengthen patient outcomes and staff support here at ESH.

2025 Western KY Nicotine Prevention Summit

Apr 17, 2025

BH WELL's Dr. Bassema Abu Farsakh and Emily Koyagi spoke at the Western KY Nicotine Prevention Summit. This year's summit focused on how nicotine has impacts across the lifespan. The event was hosted by multiple regional prevention centers in western Kentucky including RiverValley Behavioral Health, LifeSkills, Four Rivers, and Pennyroyal.

2025 Kentucky Tobacco Control Conference

Apr 3, 2025

The 2025 KY Tobacco Control Conference took place April 3rd at The Campbell House in Lexington, Kentucky. The conference was hosted by the UK College of Nursing Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy (KCSP) and the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program. Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) hosted a table for attendees to learn more about the importance of tobacco policy and tobacco treatment within mental and behavioral health organizations. BH WELL's Emily Koyagi moderated a panel regarding tobacco-free policy in behavioral health settings.

2025 KY Health Policy Conference

Apr 2, 2025

On Wednesday April 2nd, 2025, the UK College of Nursing hosted the Kentucky Health Policy Conference: A Focus on Substance Use Disorder. Topics included:

navy image with text saying APNA Kentucky Chapter

APNA KY Chapter Conference 2025

Mar 14, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

The APNA Kentucky Chapter Conference was held at The Campbell House in Lexington on March 14th, 2025 from 9AM-4:30PM. BH WELL hosted a table in the exhibit hall. Sarret Seng, BH WELL Graduate Research Assistant, coordinated the event as APNA Kentucky Chapter President.

BH WELL Lunch & Learn: Stopping Smoking Mindfully with Dr. Lee Anne Walmsley

Feb 26, 2025, 12:00 – 1:00 PM

BH WELL hosted a FREE virtual lunch and learn, Stopping Smoking Mindfully, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The training was led by Dr. Lee Anne Walmsley, Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of Wellness and Well-Being at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing. The webinar included a training video with an example of a mindful breathing activity, and a facilitated discussion. This training is approved for 1 CE through the Kentucky Board of Nursing (#4-0700-12-24-807) and through the Kentucky Board of Social Work (KBSWSP 202341).