The milestone was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the park.

The new Health and Well-being Center introduces a mental health education component to JA Finance Park’s interactive learning model. The space will help students connect financial literacy with emotional well-being and discover practical ways to prioritize mental health as part of their overall wellness.

“This learning hub represents a powerful step toward closing the knowledge gap around youth mental health,” said Tiffany Benjamin, CEO of the Humana Foundation. “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.”

The Health and Well-being Center will engage nearly 10,000 middle and high school students annually, offering hands-on activities that help students:

• Understand emotional well-being and mental health
• Create personalized self-care plans
• Explore careers in mental health
• Connect with local community resources for support

The initiative responds to a growing need in youth mental health education. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in six U.S. youth aged 6-17 experiences a mental health condition each year. Yet, Kentucky and Indiana do not currently require mental health in the states’ K-12 curriculum. The Health and Well-being Center aims to normalize mental health conversations and empower students to seek help when needed.

“As physicians and scientists, we have the privilege of helping people find not just health, but purpose,” said Adam Kaplin, a neuropsychiatrist and research affiliate of the Envirome Institute. “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.”

Each of the four partner organizations played a vital role in bringing the center to life. Humana Inc. led the strategic build and design, contributed expertise in environmental and emotional wellness, and both the Humana Foundation and Jewish Heritage Fund provided strategic funding and a vision to advance equitable health outcomes for Louisville’s youth.

“Adolescence is a critical time for brain development, setting the stage for lifelong benefits,” said Jeff Polson, president and CEO of the Jewish Heritage Fund. “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.”

After working for a decade with youth and their families as a site supervisor for school-based services at the local non-profit , Cortes, 33, joined the Kent School staff in October 2023 as the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW) Program Admissions and Recruitment Coordinator.

First-Gen student success
A first-generation student, Cortes grew up in Oldham County in a family that valued education.

“My mom was one of only two of the six kids in her family who completed high school, and my dad was an immigrant from Mexico who completed the ninth grade,” said Cortes.��“My parents were both laborers, and they were breaking their backs and coming home late at night, and they just didn’t want that same burden for their kids; they didn’t want that life for us.”

Each year, over a third of UofL’s first-year students are first-generation. To support this growing population, UofL joined the , which helps universities share data, model innovations and scale impact to advance student outcomes. Since 2019, these efforts have contributed to a 3% increase in first-to-second-year retention for first-gen students.

Finding a supportive environment at UofL
Cortes attended other colleges briefly before transferring to Louisville, where he found a niche he didn’t expect for a “guy who grew up in Oldham County on a horse farm. The only time I came to Louisville as a kid was to go to Kentucky Kingdom or the rodeo,” he said. “So, for me to go to this city and feel as comfortable as I did is a testament to everything, all the work they did to help me, not only at Kent school but at UofL, in general.”

Cortes said the University of Louisville felt personal and was responsive to his needs, including helping him balance academics with working night shifts at UPS and fulfilling his practicum hours.

“My advisors, the staff and the professors that I worked with looked out for me as an individual,” he said. “They supported me through my journey as a nontraditional student, and were able to meet me where I was…that made me feel like more than a number or just the next student coming through. They get to know me as a whole person.”

The path to success wasn’t always a smooth one for Cortes, and there were times when things were tough, and he felt too exhausted to go on. He relied on his family for moral and emotional support, and on his UofL family, as well.��

“I remember thinking there’s no way I can squeeze in the time to write this 10-page paper and then study for this exam and read those four chapters,” he said. “There was no downtime, and I felt like I was on autopilot for the better part of those years.”

But the memories of those times ultimately made the achievement sweeter.

“It makes me feel incredibly accomplished in a way that I really can’t describe. I knew that I wanted it, but I also knew I was really going to have to work for it,” he said.

New role creates new opportunities to serve
After receiving his BSW degree, Cortes worked as a youth social worker in the Louisville community. Now, in his new career as an admissions and recruitment coordinator at UofL, he’s come full-circle and is preparing the next generation of social workers to make a difference.

“I’m now in this position, advocating for my students and providing resources, counseling, sometimes crisis management,” he said. “They all have unique circumstances and backgrounds, and even though every situation is different, I feel I was once in their shoes. I really want to pay that forward for more UofL students,” said Cortes.

Cortes says he also hopes to help grow the Kent School, encouraging others to pursue a social work degree, noting the importance of addressing mental health.

“As professionals, we need to grow and advocate for mental health and talk about it as plainly as you would a physical injury,” said Cortes. “Nobody has any problem going to the doctor with a sprained wrist, but you might be hesitant to say you’re really feeling uneasy and need to go talk to somebody about it.”

Bobby Cortes treasures the messages from former families and students about things he has taught them and the impact it’s had on their lives.��“For example, they’ve told me something we did together framed their thinking in a different way,” said Cortes. “I really, really love those kinds of a-ha moments.”

He’s looking forward to more of those a-ha moments in his new role with aspiring social workers. ��

March is National Social Work month. to find out more about Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work and Family Science.

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) has accredited the Behavioral Health Service Organization at Trager for three years for outpatient treatment of adults and older adults. Trager is one of only 10 organizations around the globe accredited by CARF for mental health services for older adults.

“Accreditation is a public statement that our organization strives to ensure that our services are of the highest possible quality,” said Joe D’Ambrosio, the Trager Institute’s director of behavioral health. “At Trager, we are committed to reducing risk, addressing health and safety concerns, respecting cultural and individual preferences and providing the best possible quality of care.”

Mental health is an important aspect of overall health and well-being. Losses that can occur with aging – social activity,��identity and physical health – put individuals at higher risk for developing behavioral health issues. However, signs of mental illness in older adults often are overlooked or dismissed as normal symptoms of aging. Without treatment, conditions such as depression and anxiety can lead to further physical decline. Behavioral health services are provided as part of the clinic’s comprehensive care to help individuals maintain health as they age.��

In order to be CARF-accredited, programs and services must demonstrate that they conform to internationally recognized standards for service delivery and are committed to continuous quality improvement and a consumer-driven focus. CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services providers in aging services, behavioral health, child and youth services, durable medical equipment, employment and community services, medical rehabilitation, opioid treatment programs and vision rehabilitation services.

“For our Trager team, accreditation demonstrates our belief that all people have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, have access to needed services that achieve optimum outcomes and are empowered to exercise informed choice,” D’Ambrosio said.

D’Ambrosio said that during Trager’s accreditation survey, the CARF surveyor commended the institute’s FlourishCare^TM service, an integrated lifelong wellness care approach focused on lifestyle and preventative medicine for adults of all ages, as well as the use of student interns and telehealth, increasing accessibility to services.

Trager’s aging services include the FlourishCare^TM assessment, care coordination, family support, medication management and education, organized education programs, end-of-life care and grief support, all available in a nationally recognized, age-friendly clinic.

The magazine interviewed Uqdah for a piece titled “Self-Care on Campus” that spotlights the most current challenges to student mental health and the work she has done to expand services at UofL. It also includes a list of wellness tips for students, starting with “Cut back on screen time.”��

To read more, .

Find more about the Counseling Center .��

By joining JED Campus, UofL demonstrates its commitment to the emotional well-being of its students. JED Campuses embark on a multi-year strategic collaboration that not only assesses and enhances the work that is already being done but also helps create positive, lasting, systemic change in the campus community. The program provides schools with a framework for supporting student mental health, as well as assessment tools, feedback reports, a strategic plan and ongoing support from the JED higher education team.

“Our students’ wellbeing is our top priority,” said UofL Interim President Lori Stewart Gonzalez. “We know the COVID pandemic has been particularly hard on our students and others across the country. JED Campus will provide another tool to help us best protect and support our students throughout their college careers.”��

��“The college years are the age when many mental health issues first manifest, and it can be a time of significant stress and pressure,” said JED CEO John MacPhee. “JED Campus helps schools by working with them to survey everything their university does to support their students’ emotional health and find practical ways to augment these efforts in a comprehensive way. We believe the implementation of a campus-wide approach to mental health will lead to safer, healthier communities, and likely greater student retention.”

UofL’s membership in JED Campus begins with establishing an interdisciplinary, campus-wide team to assess, support and implement program, policy and system improvements and completing a confidential, self-assessment survey on its mental health promotion, substance use and suicide prevention efforts. Upon completion of the assessment, JED subject matter experts provide schools with a comprehensive feedback report identifying successes and opportunities for enhancements. Over the course of four years, the University of Louisville will collaborate with JED to help implement enhancements. All self-assessment responses and feedback reports are confidential.����

UofL Health, a fully integrated regional academic health system affiliated with the University of Louisville School of Medicine, has been named as the Official Health Care Provider for the Louisville Cardinals.

“This is an exciting day for the University of Louisville,” said Josh Heird, vice president/director of Athletics. “Our number one priority will always the well-being of our student-athletes and whenever we can create a partnership that provides our student-athletes with world-class services, we want to celebrate it. The commitment UofL Health is making to our student-athletes and our department will allow us to be a national leader in the medical and mental health care we provide our student-athletes.”

The new partnership that extends for eight years addresses medical coverage for all 23 UofL sports programs, plus basic training coverage for the Cardinals’ cheer and dance teams. There will be a comprehensive brand presence for UofL Health throughout Louisville Athletics facilities.

“Academic health care offers unique advantages, especially for world-class athletes like those at UofL. Our sports medicine team understands the complexities needed to keep athletes at the top of their game,” said Tom Miller, UofL Health CEO. “We have been taking care of the Cardinal athletes since the 1980s, starting with the innovative sports medicine program developed by Dr. Raymond Shea. There was a brief hiatus from the sidelines for some of our providers, but we never stopped providing care and this agreement formally puts us all back on one team for the benefit of the athletes, our university and our community.”

The level of support for Cardinal student-athletes will significantly increase with added personnel as well as health and performance equipment upgrades.�� UofL Health will provide access to its network of sports health physicians, orthopedic surgeons, neurologists and primary care providers.

“Maintaining good health is essential for any athlete, especially student-athletes,” said Dr. Jennifer Daily, medical director of UofL Heath Sports Medicine. “We have the expertise, and we have technology, such as DARI which provides movement data analytics to help athletes regain their game. We also have the comprehensive resources to make sure they never lose ground in the classroom.”

Mental health services were a point of emphasis with the new partnership, with at least 10 dedicated mental health and mental performance professionals planned for UofL student-athletes, in addition to other generally available mental health services.�� Two dedicated staff members were in that role previously.

Also included are additional services and equipment for injury rehabilitation, medical coverage at athletics events, and supporting UofL’s new sports science department within athletics.

UofL Health is a regional academic health system with six hospitals, four medical centers, 200+ physician practice locations, 700+ providers, Frazier Rehab Institute, Brown Cancer Center and the Eye Institute.
��

UofL News: How does it feel to be a first-generation graduate?

Brown-Lewis: It feels both humbling and an honor! I have been afforded many privileges in my life despite having many other shortcomings. I was fortunate to have a village made up of family, friends and mentors that aided in my success over the years. Yes, I am a first-generation graduate, but this success speaks more to my family’s ability to love me through this journey. It’s been an honor to represent my family in these spaces and chart the path to being a good ancestor.��

UofL News: What were the biggest challenges you overcame during your educational journey?

Brown-Lewis: The biggest challenge I had along this journey was losing my grandparents in April 2021 and October 2021. My grandparents raised me while my mother worked during my childhood and early adolescence. Losing them was so hard because they had a ninth��and 11th-grade education and sacrificed everything. They wanted to raise a family and I am the fruit of their labor. They won’t get to see what they produced and that to me is heartbreaking. My grandmother said to me during the summer of 2019 when I was living with her as she was going through chemo, “I never dreamed I graduated high school, but I did dream I graduated college.” I am her wildest dream.

UofL News: What drove you to complete your degree?

Brown-Lewis: I have a duty to see these degrees through because of all the hard work and sacrifice of my village, especially my mother. I wanted to ensure the seeds they planted in me did not die because the journey was too rough. I was driven by my family and Brielle, my cousin-niece, because she must see that achieving great things is possible and that nothing can stop her except herself. It has been hard, but I, too, must sacrifice as my grandparents did to plant the seed in the next person to go and be as great as they imagine.

UofL News: Why did you choose UofL?

Brown-Lewis: The Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work and Family Science was always a dream of mine. Being a social worker and a licensed therapist was always my dream, and when I came out of UK, I knew exactly where I wanted to go and what I wanted to study – social work at the Kent School.

UofL News: You have a passion for youth and are engaged in some amazing work in the city. Tell us about that.

Brown-Lewis: I am the youth engagement specialist for the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods in the mayor’s Office of Innovation. I engage with the mayor’s youth implementation team which teaches youth social-emotional and political development through the application of social justice youth development. The youth engage in this type of development to work toward creating policy resolutions. One of these policy resolutions is then taken to the National Conference of Mayors. I also work with other youth-serving organizations to coordinate services for youth across Louisville.��

UofL News: What is next for you?

Brown-Lewis: Continuing work in youth development and the macro applications of policy work and social justice youth development. I will be starting my career as a therapist and work diligently to fuse both the macro work and micro work. Next for me is rest! The last seven years of schooling has been a challenging journey and I have reached the end. One day I will pursue a higher degree in public health or family sciences.��

UofL News: What advice do you have for other social work students?

Brown-Lewis: Follow your dreams despite naysayers. Find the gap in services and fill it, be creative, don’t do something unless you love it. Intentionally invest in your personal and professional life, and get a therapist!

UofL News: Describe your role in the Raising Hope campaign.��

Witt: I oversee all the project timelines, coordinate communication and workflow by meeting with the project directors and the entire team on a regular basis. Now that we have expanded our efforts and projects, this will include working closely with the program evaluators to ensure they have information they need to effectively evaluate the impact of the programs and also help us to plan for our future growth.��

UofL News: What do you hope will be the outcome of this work?

Witt: Our current project aims to reduce stress, depression and suicide rates in our farmers and farm families. I want farmers to know that they are supported and appreciated for the work they do and what they do is important to our communities, state, nation and world. I want them to know it is ok to seek help for mental health and there are resources available.

My hope is the non-farming community will be more informed about what farmers do and deal with on a day-to-day basis, and what it takes to get food to your table.

As a health care provider, I also want the health community to better understand the culture of farming to relate to the farmer when providing care. One goal is to expand and grow programs of outreach, education, research and prevention services while meeting farmers where they are to encourage participation. I believe this will improve the health of our farmers and farm families and minimize or postpone chronic disease, disability or death.

UofL News: Talk about mental health challenges specific to farmers.��

Witt: Farming is not just an occupation, but a way of life. The land, crops, livestock, family and facilities are all a part of the famer’s soul. The attachment to these puts tremendous pressure on the farmer to maintain and be fiscally and physically responsible for all, because this is a part of their identity. The current economic state has caused rising operation costs, yet farmers get little or even less profit than ever before. Their income can depend on things that are out of their control: insects, weather and government regulation. This has resulted in many farmers or their partners to seek off-farm jobs to establish insurance or simply afford the farm.

The farmer may be working the same land his/her ancestors have farmed for generations. What if that farmer is the one who loses the farm or lets it run down? All of this causes a great deal of distress. Working an off-farm job and then coming home to perform farm work that must be done despite fatigue, puts the farmer at a higher risk for injury in an already dangerous occupation.

As the farmer ages, the physically demanding work can be more difficult, take longer to perform and sometimes impossible to complete. The recognition of losing this ability can be devastating to the farmer. The independent, stoic personality that serves the farmer well with farm operation also serves as a barrier when seeking health care, including mental health care.

UofL News: How did you decide to focus your research primarily on the female farmer?��

Witt: Depression and suicide rates in production farmers has risen to the forefront as a public health interest, but largely had focused on the male farmer. As more women pursue farming as an occupation, I thought it might be a good idea to look into the same subject in women who operated farms.

Women and men are different, think differently, react differently and seek health care differently. It was important to me to investigate those differences to better identify interventions to improve the mental health of both genders of farm operators.��I would say my large umbrella is the health and safety of farmers and farm families. Physical and mental health are closely aligned and one affects the other. My goal is to help farmers and farm families remain healthy and in the field for as long as possible with a good quality of life.

UofL News: You come from a family of farmers, and this work must be dear to your heart. Tell us about that, please.����

Witt: I am no different than any other person who grew up in the field farming with their dad, grandfather and siblings. It is your life and an internal piece of you. You know what it feels like to contribute to the project at hand, how important it is to your family to get the job done before it rains, and oddly enough to please your family with your quality of work. There was no better feeling when, at the end of a long, hot day, to see my dad pleased with work completion.

As I reflect on my own life and have watched the evolution of my family into the next generation of farming, it is hard to do some of the work I do and listen to the stories farmers tell me. This is because I have lived and continue to experience the stress of farming, the cycle of never-ending work and the pain of losing ability and identity. But, I also experience joy when farmers tell me stories of their new grandbaby, best crop ever or their son/daughter showing livestock.

My dad attempted to talk my son out of farming saying, “you will work yourself to death and never have any money.” I had to remind him that we farm for other reasons, and it is not money. We are rich in so many other ways.

UofL News: Describe your journey of pursuing mental health research in the agricultural community.��

Witt: I have always had an interest in rural nursing since I graduated from nursing school in 1991. I enjoy everyday people and their stories of everyday life. When I began teaching at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing, my colleagues soon realized my passion and I began to work with Fran Hardin-Fanning,��who focused in the area of rural Appalachian health, and Deborah Reed, who focused on the health of the older farmer.��These two mentors convinced me to return to school for my terminal degree.

At that time, Reed was the only nurse who worked with the agriculture population as a focus. Knowing my personal background and my love for farming, she felt I would be a good candidate to follow in her footsteps when she retired.��Interesting how these two women saw things in me that I didn’t realize myself. They have never steered me wrong and continue to be available for friendship and advice.

My natural personality to talk with people from all backgrounds has resulted in a series of divine interventions that have led into a sprinting career within a population that I truly am determined to make a difference in their health. I want do this within the communities and culture of individuals because that is where people are most comfortable.

Over the last month, UofL has increased the amount of wellness opportunities available to faculty and staff. While these opportunities have been previously announced on various internal webpages and within the UofL Today employee newsletter, below you will find a central listing of the opportunities compiled for your convenience.

Virtual Classes and Fitness at Home

Get Healthy Now (GHN), the university’s employee wellness program, has collected multiple online resources for staying active and focusing on your wellness.

• is a collection of stretches for your back, neck, arms and legs. Whether you’re sitting at a desk, on the couch or somewhere else in your home, you can follow these short videos for a quick, seated stretch break. The stretches are designed to release tension, ease anxiety, and get relief from aches and pains.
• is a written workout plan you can do at home by following the visuals and step-by-step techniques for exercising with resistance bands.
• is a YouTube yoga channel for families that incorporates yoga movements into interactive stories and songs. The energetic instructor uses her British accent to take families on virtual adventures that build strength, balance and confidence.
• is an online collection of dance tutorials provided by the Louisville Ballet for families to stay active and creative together. The tutorials include a wide range of dance warm-ups, ballet basics, and folk dances from around the world.

The Department of Intramural and Recreational Sports is offering multiple virtual fitness opportunities that are open to faculty and staff.

• Virtual Fitness Consultations are free to all employees Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. When you sign up for a 15-minute, one-on-one virtual consultation with a certified fitness instructor, you’ll receive a customized exercise routine based on what you have available in your home. To get started, send an email to woodall@louisville.edu.
• Mile Club is an exercise program that encourages participants to walk, run, hike or bike the miles they would have traveled this summer to a destination. With the Mile Club, you can email your destination and weekly totals to the host, or you can download the app and join the UofL SRC Mile Club there to track your miles. Once you “arrive” to your destination, Intramurals staff will send you a champion t-shirt.

  
  To join the club on the app, download “Strava” on your smart phone and touch “Sign Up.” Skip any free trials that pop up to maintain a basic, free account. Touch the “Club” tab, then touch “Explore Clubs,” then “Clubs” again. In the search bar, type “UofL SRC Mile Club” and touch the club to join it.

Mental Health and Connection

Human Resources is offering a new professional/personal growth series called “Learning Cafes.”��There are also many existing benefits for employees that can support your overall well-being.

• are online sessions focused on continuing your professional and personal growth while working at home. Each “cafe” features a topic of interest, guidance from a seasoned moderator, an engaging activity or reading, and time for discussion and sharing to renew your connection to the UofL family. Topics include talking to your kids about furloughs, staying motivated while working remote, meditation, how employee resource groups can support you, and more.
• is an online program and app available for Anthem members that helps users learn to reduce stress and monitor different areas of their health. For example, you can utilize their daily mood tracker to analyze your patterns, take mini interactive courses on focus areas such as “Controlling Anxiety,” listen to relaxation audios, and scroll through uplifting images and quotes that update every time you log on. There is also a specific set of practical tools and articles dedicated just to coping with the COVID-19 pandemic.

  
  To get started, log in to , click on “My Health Dashboard,” then “Programs,” and you’ll find “MyStrength.” Follow the prompts to set up your customized MyStrength account. If you already have an Anthem account, you can download the MyStrength app on your smart phone and sign in there to keep your customized program and tools within easy reach.

• The (EAP), is a university benefit that provides free and confidential counseling services and resources to you and your household family members, even if you aren’t enrolled in a UofL medical plan. Managed by a third party, Human Development Company, the program’s counselors are available 24/7 and you can get up to eight free confidential sessions per topic, per year. Topics you can discuss with a counselor include grief and loss, stress management, alcohol/substance use, marital/relationship, depression, workplace concerns, Counselors can also provide referrals for things such as day care, elder care and financial concerns.

  
  Individual use of the EAP is confidential and not reported to your supervisor nor the university. Call 502-589-HELP (4357) or 800-877-8332, or go to to schedule an appointment.

Health Promotion, a division of Campus Health Services, has expanded some of their program offerings to include faculty and staff.

• is a four-week class that teaches participants evidence-based methods for mindfulness, meditation and stress resilience. The “Koru Basics” introductory course is available now through June. After completion of “Koru Basics,” participants may advance to “Koru 2.0” for an additional four-week class.
• is a set of guided narrations meant to facilitate mindfulness by walking listeners through “slow looking” at works of art. Originally created for in-person art observations at the Speed, the guided prompts can also be used with artwork available in your home or with the Speed’s online collections. For example, you can open their online and listen to while you observe a work of art.

Trager Institute, the university’s hub for optimal aging research, innovation and care management, offers multiple opportunities for employees to stay connected over topics related to holistic health.

• is a weekly virtual meeting open to those who want to learn more about individual, family and community holistic health. These weekly meetings occur every Monday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and feature a range of holistic health topics, guest speakers, activities and open discussions. Meetings are designed to help participants cope with the pandemic and provide a space to bring your concerns for peer support.
• is a virtual meditation series offered every Friday at 12:30 p.m. Sessions are hosted by one of the Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic mental health providers, Anna Walton, LCSW. Participants will address their stress and anxiety during this uncertain time through her guided meditations.

We are all navigating the unknown together. Your total well-being is critical and UofL has multiple resources and opportunities available right now to help you. Carve out some time in your calendar to schedule a meeting with yourself and look further into these opportunities today.

Opportunities listed above might not be an exhaustive list of all available wellness opportunities, and new ones may become available. If your department also offers a wellness opportunity that is open to all employees, be sure to submit an announcement so that it can be featured in the UofL Today employee newsletter.

“One of the big challenges I see in my clients is the inability to deal with uncertainty. The lack of control over this disease has confronted so many with what little power we have over our lives,” said University of Louisville Trager Institute and Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic Director of Wellness Joseph G. D’Ambrosio, PhD, JD, LMFT, CSW.

D’Ambrosio, who also is an assistant professor in the UofL School of Medicine, says having an understanding of the disease is needed in order to protect ourselves and others, but it also is important to remember “this, too, shall pass, and we will be stronger because of it. Past generations have risen up and used crisis situations to improve the world, and we can do the same.”

He points out that a crisis can present an opportunity to stop and re-evaluate life.

“I find that in times like this, it is important to look introspectively at who we are and how we want to truly live. So many of us live a life that was prescribed by either family, society or our own beliefs about what we should do to be successful – but it may not be allowing us to be as happy or as prosperous as we could, if we were doing what we really wanted,” he said.

He gives advice on jump-starting mental strength that can lead individuals to the future life they truly want:

• Start a mindfulness practice. Begin by committing to 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes at night to silence and contemplation. Increase the time commitment daily so that you are doing at least 20 minutes twice a day. It will help situate you in the world where you can be your best self. There are many free apps such as Insight Timer or Calm that can help.
• Now is a good time to begin to live a healthy lifestyle. For many that means changing diet to include more fruits and vegetables, and eating less meat and dairy. Work hard to make your body as immune proof as it can be, D’Ambrosio said.

• Most importantly, have compassion for yourself and those around you. “We forget what a little bit of shared love can do to change ourselves and the world,” D’Ambrosio said.

Parents: Routines give children a sense of safety and security

Children are among those most affected by the new normal, D’Ambrosio said, and when a child experiences uncertainty it increases stress and feeling of helplessness.

“A young child’s brain undergoes constant development as they grow. Routines help the part of a young child’s brain that is able to plan ahead and make predictions about the future. Having routines in place give children the space to feel good about themselves as they know what is coming, and understand that they can accomplish the tasks presented,” he said.

D’Ambrosio encourages parents not to be too rigid if they go off schedule, just confirm that tomorrow you are back on schedule.

“Be kind to yourself and your children. These are stressful times and flexibility may be your biggest ally,” he said.

He offers some important tips for making day-to-day life at home more enjoyable and manageable for both children and parents:

• Plan a specific time to awake and go to bed, do schoolwork, perform house chores, play, eat, exercise and have family time.
• Develop a specific time for children to spend by themselves either drawing or reading.
• Create a bedtime ritual, if you don’t already have one.
• Work with your children to make pictures or signs for each activity that they can see and count on happening.
• Be sure to let children know when the next routine is going to happen so that they can be prepared. For example, “we have 15 minutes left of study time so that we can take an exercise break.”
• Use a dry-erase board or poster to post a daily agenda that includes reading time, playtime, naps, etc.
• Assign chores to your children. Even children as young as 3 years old enjoy sharing adult responsibilities.
• When preparing meals, include children in the preparation even if it is something small.
• Encourage video-chatting with family and friends. Two children drawing together while on a video-chat can be fun and give the children a chance to connect.
• Help your children to become artists by using old magazines, wrapping paper and mail advertisements to make collages.
• Encourage independent childhood play time. Parents don’t have to be with kids 24/7, and the separation is a great way to help children differentiate from their parents. That is a skill they will need to get through the rest of their lives, D’Ambrosio said.

Read a Q&A with D’Ambrosio on mental health insights during the COVID-19 pandemic on the .