KY HELP Statewide Call Center

1-8338-KY-HELP (1-833-859-4357)

KYHELP@OperationUNITE.org

Operation UNITE staffs the KY HELP Statewide Call Center, a toll-free line providing personalized, compassionate assistance and resources for Kentuckians seeking help for a substance use disorder and offering support to their families.

Individuals seeking treatment for themselves or others – as well as family members who have questions or are in need of support – can call 1-8338-KYHELP (1-833-859-4357) toll-free and speak with a specialist about available services most relevant to their needs.

Beginning January 1, 2024, the line is now staffed Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (EDT) and on Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. (EDT)

You may also receive assistance via email to KYHELP@OperationUNITE.org.

KY HELP staff provides crisis management and assists clients make informed decisions about treatment. Outreach services are available for up to one year. All calls are kept confidential.

For after-hours assistance, individuals should contact the KY/Opioid & Assistance Resource Hotline:

1-800-854-6813

KY HELP

Statewide Call

Center Hours

Monday through Friday

Extended to

7:00 am to 10:00 pm (Eastern)

Saturday & Sunday

8:30 am to 5:30 pm (Eastern)

Background

Creation of the KY HELP Statewide Call Center – staffed by Operation UNITE and funded by the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet – was announced on November 17, 2017. Screening and Referral Specialists began connecting individuals across the Commonwealth to resources on December 1, 2017.

Kentucky’s age-adjusted drug overdose rate increased 53.7% from 2019 to 2020, the second highest increase in the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in July 2021. The Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy announced in August 2021 that 1,964 Kentuckians had died of a drug overdose in 2020 — a 49% increase from 2019. Opioids were involved in 90% of these deaths, and fentanyl was detected in more than 70% of all cases.

In the United States, there were 93,331 overdose deaths in 2020 – 1 overdose death every 5.63 minutes! This was the largest single-year increase ever recorded. According to CDC data, fentanyl was involved in more than 60% of these deaths. Cocaine, methamphetamine, as well as natural and semi-synthetic opioids, were also major contributors.

Meet the KY HELP Call Center Team

Jamie
Gilliam

Director

Heather
Gussler

Screening & Referral Specialist

Callie
Hathaway

Screening & Referral Specialist

Charla
Helton

Screening & Referral Specialist

Dakota
Hunt

Outreach Specialist

Jason
Rice

Screening & Referral Specialist

Lora
Simpkins

Screening & Referral Specialist

“Best of the Bluegrass” features

May 18, 2023May is Mental Health Month

KY HELP Statewide Call Center Director Jamie Gilliam taped a segment about resources to help with mental health issues for WLEX TV’s “Best of the Bluegrass” show with host Jennifer Palumbo that aired on Thursday, May 18, 2023 show.

August 18, 2021KY HELP Statewide Call Center adds hours

Lora Simpkins, a Screening and Referral specialist with the KY HELP Statewide Call Center, announced that evening and weekend hours have been added for Kentuckians seeking assistance with a substance use disorder. New hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 10 pm (EDT) and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (EDT).

July 21, 2021KY HELP Statewide Call Center can help you with addiction

Jamie Gilliam, supervisor of the KY HELP Statewide Call Center, provides information on services and resources that are available to all Kentuckians — including who should call with questions about treatment services, insurance assistance, and toll-free number.

June 16, 2021KY HELP Statewide Call Center for addiction and substance abuse help, services

Courtney Maynard, Screening & Referral Specialist, discusses resources that are available from the KY HELP Statewide Call Center.

FindHelpNowKY.org is a dynamic, near-real-time substance use disorder treatment availability locator for Kentucky.

The locator, provided by the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, contains a list of treatment providers and treatment openings across the state – including community mental health centers; private, non-profit, and faith-based treatment providers; and providers of medication-assisted treatment. Providers are encouraged to update their treatment opportunities and facility information daily. FindHelpNowKY.org also contains a multidisciplinary information center to help answer questions about substance use, treatment, and recovery resources.

The Angel Initiative is a program started by the Kentucky State Police in 2016 with one goal: save lives. It is part of the “Hope and Help” campaign.

The Angel Initiative is a pro-active approach offering an alternative escape to those battling addiction. The program encourages individuals seeking addiction treatment to visit any KSP post, where he or she will be paired with a local officer who will assist with locating an appropriate treatment program. It is completely voluntary, and the individual will not be arrested or charged with any violations if he or she agrees to participate in treatment.

 

FindRecoveryHousingNowKY.org is a resource website launched September 28, 2022, to help individuals find recovery houses with availability, learn more about recovery, and access resources to help you navigate the recovery journey for you or your loved one.

The site, provided by the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, is a partnership between the Kentucky Recovery Housing Network, the Fletcher Group Rural Center of Excellence in Recovery Housing, GET HELP network, and FindHelpNowKY.org.

The KY HELP Statewide Call Center was created and is operated by Operation UNITE as a bona fide agent of the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy.  FindHelpNowKY.org was created by the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC) as bona fide agent for the Kentucky Department for Public Health in partnership with the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, and Operation UNITE.