LEXINGTON, Ky. — With gun violence increasing in Lexington and several other communities, a specialist from the University of Kentucky says nearly all community members are feeling the impact.

One of the most affected areas is mental health.

What You Need To Know

  • Lexington has had 42 homicides so far this year

  • This is the highest number of homicides Lexington has ever seen in one year

  • UK specialist Teresa Gevedon says the increase in violence can affect everyone in the community 

  • Gevedon said mental health is important to prioritize, especially during tough times in the community 

For 13 years, Jason Ervin has lived in Downtown Lexington. He said he’s seen the uptick in violence first hand.

“Before, I wouldn’t have any concerns if I was out at two or three o’clock in the morning,” Ervin said. “Now you’re definitely looking over your shoulder and being more concerned.”

As of Nov. 23 2023, Lexington has seen 42 homicides — that’s over 5 cases past the record-breaking number of 37 homicides Lexington saw in 2021.

“I definitely, especially later at night, completely avoid the pavilion area,” Ervin said.

This type of avoidance and changing routine is a concern UK Healthcare medical director Teresa Gevedon says comes with the recent uptick in violence. 

“It negatively impacts our sense of security. You know, you begin to feel more vulnerable and a little bit more vigilant,” Gevedon said.

Gevedon works at UK Healthcare’s Child and Adult Psychiatry Clinic and said this uptick isn’t just affecting those physically involved.  

“But what about everyone else? And it’s a big factor just in the general community for the most part,” Gevedon said.

Gevedon says changing your lifestyle, everyday habits or isolating yourself can cause anxiety and mental health concerns. 

“When there are bad things going on in the world, whether it’s COVID or wars or violence downtown, there’s a feeling that, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m vulnerable. I’m overwhelmed and I can’t do anything.’ And that just makes the emotions more intense,” Gevedon said.

Ervin hopes to see some change in his community and said he’s been working with the City of Lexington to be part of that change.

“Going into this last election, which was just a couple of weeks ago, I think public safety was top of mind of a lot of residents downtown,” Ervin said.

Both Ervin and Gevedon say they hope to see people step up and help create a safer community. UK Healthcare recommends if anyone in the community needs mental health support, they can contact doctors or reach out for support through local organizations. 

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