GRDHD and RiverValley Shine as Leaders in Tobacco-Free Initiatives for Enhanced Community Health

The Green River District Health Department (GRDHD) and RiverValley Behavioral Health (RVBH) have recently been celebrated for their efforts to create a tobacco-free environment that enhances community health.

These organizations were acknowledged at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing’s BH WELL program during the 2024 Behavioral Health Tobacco Treatment awards.

GRDHD earned the Tobacco Treatment Integration Award for assisting RVBH in adopting a campus-wide tobacco-free policy. This partnership aims to integrate tobacco treatment into their existing programs through the Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) initiative. The goal is to encourage practices that help people quit smoking.

Gary Hall, a health educator at GRDHD, shared how research shows that providing support for quitting smoking alongside treatment for substance use disorders can improve recovery outcomes. “This approach offers multiple benefits for our clients,” he explained. “It helps them not only recover from substance use but also enhances their overall health by quitting smoking.”

The implementation of the tobacco-free policy has brought several positive changes to RVBH, such as cleaner facilities, fewer tobacco products left behind, and more employees seeking help to quit smoking.

Mary McLevain, a medical records supervisor, received the 2024 Behavioral Health Tobacco Treatment Impact Award for her significant contributions. She leads a monthly support group for those wanting to quit smoking at the RiverValley Center. McLevain has also been part of a state-wide campaign sharing her own quit journey to inspire others.

“I’m truly honored,” McLevain said. “Deciding to be smoke-free was one of the best choices I’ve ever made. After 35 years of smoking, attending my first smoke-free meeting made a huge difference in my life. I feel healthier and more active now, and my family, especially my grandkids, motivate me to stay smoke-free.”

RVBH continues to provide valuable resources, including peer-support groups, nicotine replacement therapies, tobacco treatment specialists, and a new fitness center for employees.

Brooke Arnold, RVBH’s Regional Prevention Center Director, emphasized that this initiative goes beyond enforcing rules. “We want to empower our team to lead healthier lives and build a community focused on wellness,” she said.

GRDHD is also collaborating with other behavioral health organizations through its Kentucky Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program. Their efforts focus on educating and supporting the implementation of tobacco-free policies and treatments, especially for individuals facing mental health challenges who are at a higher risk for tobacco-related illnesses.