Established by an administrative order, the Kentucky Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council is charged with reviewing plans for allocation of mental health services in the commonwealth and serving as an advocate for all Kentuckians and their families whose lives have been changed and challenged by emotional disability and mental illness or co-occurring mental health and substance use issues.

The council comprises consumers of mental health services, family members of adults and children with severe mental illness or severe emotional disturbance, and representatives of state agencies and consumer organizations.

The council's deliberations and recommendations are shaped by its mission statement:

The council seeks to be an active voice for all Kentuckians affected by mental illness by forming a broad partnership of consumers, family members, providers and state agencies that assures, through a comprehensive plan, that all individuals with mental illness have awareness of and access to effective, affordable services in their own communities which promote ongoing recovery.