University of Louisville opens new Health and Well-being Center in partnership with Humana Foundation and Jewish Heritage Fund

The University of Louisville’s Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute has partnered with the Humana Foundation and the Jewish Heritage Fund to open a new Health and Well-being Center at the Junior Achievement (JA) Finance Park of Kentucky. The Health and Well-being Center will serve to help educate middle school and high school students about mental health through hands-on activities and practices.

According to an article on the University of Louisville’s website, Adam Kaplin, who is a neuropsychiatrist and a research affiliate of the Envirome Institute, explained the benefits of the new Health and Well-Being Center. He is quoted as saying, “As physicians and scientists, we have the privilege of helping people find not just health, but purpose. Integrating mental well-being into Junior Achievement’s Finance Park is groundbreaking – it shows students that caring for the mind is every bit as essential as caring for the body or managing one’s finances. At UofL’s Envirome Institute, we’re proud to support this effort to help the next generation understand that mental health is central to thriving, not just surviving.”

The Health and Well-being Center joining the Junior Achievement complex will allow for close to 10,000 middle school and high school students to be exposed to mental health education in addition to the financial literacy education they can expect from the organization. The programming will make connections between mental health and financial wellness and will teach students how to prioritize their mental health in a practical way.

The new center will allow students to explore career opportunities within the mental health field, understand what wellness and mental health are, find resources within the community to support mental health, and create their own self care plans. One of the goals of the center is to normalize talking about mental health and working toward breaking stigmas that can stop students from seeking help when they need it.

Jeff Polson, the president and CEO of the Jewish Heritage Fund, said, “Adolescence is a critical time for brain development, setting the stage for lifelong benefits. We are grateful for Humana’s leadership on this initiative with Junior Achievement to help Louisville’s youth build a strong foundation for future success.”

Tiffany Benjamin, the CEO of the Humana Foundation, added, “This learning hub represents a powerful step toward closing the knowledge gap around youth mental health. By integrating mental wellness into financial literacy and career planning, we’re helping students build the tools they need to thrive, both personally and professionally.”

For more information about the University of Louisville, visit the school’s website.