Paris, Kentucky (May 10, 2021) – During a beautiful spring day on Friday, May 7, Bourbon Community Hospital held its first Community Mental Health Fair at the Bourbon County Fair Grounds in Paris. The purpose of the fair was to provide resources for people and organizations in the community who have friends, family or coworkers that are struggling with addictions, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, depression and other behavioral health issues.
Twenty-four vendors participated in the event, which was titled “I Am Not Alone- Addressing Mental Health in Our Community.” Resource tables were erected on the fairgrounds so participants could easily go from table to table to pick up literature on diverse topics such as family counseling, addiction recovery and more.
In addition to the resource tables, Kelly Gunning, director of advocacy and policy with the Lexington branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), gave a speech about the importance of managing stress in work-life and at home. The day also included a memory walk for those who have passed away due to struggles with mental health, as well as food trucks from Red State BBQ and Tacos Lunas, chair massages, music and speeches.
The mental health fair was free to attend and open to the public. Bourbon Community Hospital hopes to make the fair a yearly event.
