Humana Foundation in Louisville, Kentucky, has announced a partnership with Greater Louisville Inc., an independent nonprofit working with the area’s chamber of commerce, to address the shortage of regional mental health providers and bolster mental health resources across the city.

Part of a $1 million commitment from the foundation to the city in the wake of April’s mass shooting at the Old National Bank, the partnership aims to help small mental health providers scale their operations and increase sustainable services to victims of trauma. Grants of between $50,000 and $100,000 will be awarded for projects that enable providers to significantly increase the number of people receiving mental health services, with priority given to applicants committed to addressing categories of mental health providers that are in dire shortage—such as psychologists, psychiatrists, and youth counselors—and applicants prioritizing care to diverse and underrepresented populations. The foundation is contributing $300,000 and matching up to $300,000 in additional corporate and individual donations.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, an estimated 23 percent of Americans are experiencing mental illness, more than 12 million have had suicidal thoughts, and one in five young adults experienced depression, according to the foundation. In Kentucky, 44 percent of adults said they felt depressed or anxious and nearly 23 percent were unable to access needed treatment. Across the state, at least 215 additional psychiatrists are needed, with an acute need in Jefferson County, which is home to 25 percent of the state’s workforce but less than 13 percent of its mental health counselors.

“The traumatic event in April and the tragedies that have occurred since have highlighted the need for increased mental health support for our residents,” said Humana Foundation CEO Tiffany Benjamin. “We’re acting quickly to improve mental health quality and outcomes in the short term, while continuing our focus on addressing access and stigma issues in the long-term. We hope this effort will help to heal and strengthen our community, while addressing a very real and urgent crisis.”

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