Published on March 25, 2025
Help and Hope at the OHTLMC Mental Health and Addiction Resource Fair
LEITCHFIELD, Ky. — On Tuesday morning, The Centre on Main was filled with something rare—honest conversations about addiction, recovery and mental health. No judgment. Just help.
The fifth annual Mental Health and Addiction Resource Fair, hosted by Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center, brought more than 40 service providers under one roof. The goal was to connect people to care and each other.
What started as a small event in 2018 has grown into a vital space for providers and community members to meet face-to-face. For some, it’s the first step toward healing.
Kristen Buck, nurse practitioner at Owensboro Health’s Addiction Services clinic, knows how important that first step can be.
“We treat people struggling with opioid, meth and alcohol addiction,” Buck said. “Many of them have never seen a doctor. We offer Suboxone, treat Hep C, help them quit tobacco—but most of all, we meet them where they are.”
The program includes both inpatient detox and outpatient care. Patients may start in the hospital, then transition into regular appointments for medication and support. Over time, as they stabilize, those visits taper off. Many graduate from the program.
Director of Clinic Operations Stacey Witt said long-term success takes more than medicine.
“We work closely with local counselors, recovery centers and community partners,” Witt said. “It’s about creating a full circle of care. This event helps us build those connections.”
Former addiction services director Jessica Embry launched the expo five years ago. Now, as community engagement coordinator, she’s proud of its progress.
“We started with fewer than 20 vendors. Today, we had over 40,” Embry said. “It’s about giving people real access to real help—and reminding them they’re not alone.”
Each booth offered something different: therapy options, support groups, legal aid, housing resources. Some attendees came with questions. Others came quietly, picked up brochures, and walked away with the first tools they need to begin again.
“No one plans to struggle with addiction,” Buck said. “It doesn’t care how much money you have or how much education. But recovery is possible. And it starts with one connection.”
About Owensboro Health
Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.
On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.