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Many people are aware of the priorities associated with maintaining positive physical health. 

Thankfully, Winchester will not overlook Mental Health this May. 

On Monday, May 20, a seminar titled “Ready…Set…Start!” promotes wellness through three CEUs, or Continuing Education Units, will occur at the Clark County Farm Bureau at 115 S. Highland Street. 

“Since COVID, we have not done any…mental health programs per se,” said Carolyn Burtner, who helped put together the seminar. “May is Mental Health Month, and they’re trying to designate Mondays as Mental Health Mondays.” 

The seminar, which lasts from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., will include various sessions and speakers covering different topics. 

The first of three sessions, each lasting approximately one hour, will be titled “Winning @ Wellness.” 

Leading the session will be social worker Bradlee Y. Burtner, son of Carolyn and former Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner, and Dr. Patricia Stewart-Hopkins, an Assistant Professor at Lindsey Wilson College in Adair County,

“I come from a background in clinical community counseling, and we operate from a wellness model perspective. From that, we have more of a holistic approach to providing support and care for people,” said Stewart-Hopkins. “That includes not just talk therapy…but [also] a more strategic and intentional strategy to move towards what people want and need to be well.” 

Making connections to people that an individual cares most about and contributing to a cause for the community are such examples. 

“These are all things that don’t necessarily happen as a paid-for service to a therapist, but that integrate the world around us as a source for wellness,” added Stewart-Hopkins. 

Yet, that’s not all. 

Two additional sessions are titled “Movement & Community for Wellness” and “Brain Food for Wellness.” 

Deborah Jackson of Legacy Greenscapes and Barbara Amyx and Tiffany Fletcher of Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation will lead the former session. 

Both organizations serve as sponsors for the event, as do the Clark County Health Department and Mental Health Task Force – created several years ago following a CCHD community assessment identifying numerous community concerns. 

The latter session is titled “Brain Food for Wellness.” It will be led by Amy M. Williams, who – among other credentials – holds a Master of Science in community nutrition and a Bachelor of Science in general dietetics. 

“So many people I think are misguided about what it takes to be healthy based on current trends and pop culture,” said Stewart-Hopkins. “Amy’s very well prepared, in both years of experience and certifications, to talk about what a healthy approach to nutrition really is.” 

While mental health is undoubtedly the focus of the event, other health areas, including emotional health and spiritual health, are likely to be connected via the sessions. 

Dr. Stewart-Hopkins says there’s much that the presenters hope attendees gain from the experience. 

“A big take-home message for us is you must honor your values to move towards wellness, wholeness, and truth,” she said. 

For more information, contact Jessica Burns at jessica.burns@cchdky.org or (859)-744-1488. Ext. 2012.