Peer & Family Support Resources — Kentucky

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Support groups and peer-led services give people — with or without a clinical diagnosis — a chance to connect, share experiences, and gain strength from community. For families and caregivers, these services offer guidance, education, and emotional support. Below are some of the strongest, most established support resources available in Kentucky.

NAMI Kentucky (Affiliate of National NAMI) Mental Health & Family Support

• Provides peer-led support groups across Kentucky for adults living with mental illness, including recovery support, education, and social connection. NAMI Kentucky+2NAMI Kentucky+2
• Offers Family Support Groups for loved ones and caregivers of people with mental health conditions. NAMI Kentucky+1
• Includes specialized groups such as young adult support, LGBTQIA+ support, and other targeted groups depending on the affiliate. NAMI Kentucky+1
• Provides resources, education, and advocacy in addition to support groups. NAMI Kentucky+1

If you build your support tab, NAMI Kentucky is a great “anchor” organization: many counties are covered through local affiliates. 

As part of broader recovery resources, peer- and family-based support groups play a key role. National and local groups often meet in Kentucky, making them good complements to formal treatment.

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) — 12-step recovery support group for alcohol-related issues. Many meetings are held across Kentucky. samhsa.gov+1
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA) — peer-led meetings for individuals recovering from drug addiction. Kentucky has local chapters of NA. samhsa.gov+1
• Other peer-run recovery groups — Options outside 12-step exist too; as noted by federal guidance, support groups and local community programs may help with recovery. samhsa.gov

These support groups can help fill gaps — for ongoing support, relapse prevention, or simply a sense of community during recovery.

Because Kentucky is diverse geographically, many supports come via local chapters, nonprofits, or community-level mental-health or recovery centers. Examples:

• Local affiliates of NAMI (various counties) to cover rural and urban areas across the State. NAMI+1
• Peer-led support and recovery groups within mental-health agencies or community mental-health centers.

• Lived Experience: Groups led by people who have “been there,” which often offers a unique sense of empathy and understanding that professionals can’t replicate.
• Accessibility: Low-barrier — often free, sometimes virtual/phone-based, no long waitlists.
• Ongoing Support: Good for long-term mental health or recovery maintenance, beyond acute treatment.
• Family & Caregiver Support: Helps families, partners, caregivers to process stress, build coping strategies, and support loved ones.

NAMI Kentucky (Statewide)

• Phone: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
• Text: Text “NAMI” to 62640
• Website: namiky.org
• Services: Peer support groups, family support, classes, advocacy, mental health education.

NAMI Local Chapters

• NAMI Lexington
• (859) 272-7891
• Support groups, education, family support.
• NAMI Louisville
• (502) 588-2008
• Peer and family mental health groups, outreach programs.
• NAMI Northern Kentucky
• 513-436-0010
• Support groups covering Boone, Kenton, Campbell, and surrounding counties.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA - Kentucky)

• Various in-person & online meetings statewide.
• Peer-led alcohol recovery support.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA - Kentucky)

• Meetings available across the state.
• Peer-led support for substance use recovery.

SMART Recovery

• Online + some local Kentucky meetings.
• Non-12-step peer support for addiction and behavioral health.

FindHelpNowKY

• Phone: 1-877-318-1871
• Website: findhelpnowky.org
• Real-time treatment openings, peer support listings, and recovery resources.

Mental Health Association of KY

• Programs for family support, mental health education, and advocacy.

211 Kentucky

• Call 2-1-1
• Connect with local mental health, substance use, housing, and peer support services.

UK EmPath Crisis Program

• Crisis stabilization, substance use crisis support, psychiatric assessment, peer support.

KORE (Kentucky Opioid Response Effort)

• Peer support networks, treatment connections, prevention programs across Kentucky.