THE NEW ALBANY WELL-BEING CONNECTION
Incidences of teenage depression, anxiety and suicide have been on the rise, and New Albany is not immune. Community leaders sought ways to remove the stigma surrounding mental health and share resources available to help address these issues. To initiate a community dialogue, the Foundation presented mental health advocate Mariel Hemingway as the first in a series of speakers addressing mental health, substance abuse and addiction. Since then, Foundation donors have hosted community conversations, convened experts and community leaders, formed committees and presented additional speakers such as Patrick Kennedy, Elizabeth Vargas and Glenn Close. The momentum on this issue and concern for the well-being of young people led to the establishment of The Well-Being Initiative, a school district focused effort that established clearly defined goals and measurable outcomes. The Well-Being Connection focuses on providing resources to the entire community. Its goal is to cultivate compassion and connect residents to holistic resources, education and support.
“The Well-Being Connection focuses on providing resources to the entire community. New Albany has embraced mental health in an extraordinary way. Foundation donors have helped launch the New Albany Well-Being Connection in an effort to destigmatize the topic and advance mental health support in our community. We are now getting calls from other communities to share what we’ve learned.”
– Sarah Underhill, Executive Director New Albany Well-Being Connection