New Louisville police wellness center already helping officers live healthier lives

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A new wellness center is providing first responders in Louisville with resources to help them live healthier lifestyles.

Police officers are twice as likely to have depression than people in the general public. That's why Louisville Metro Police and other departments are trying to get to the root cause before it's too late.

The Summit Wellness Center held a grand opening in October as a place for overall wellness for LMPD staff. The multi-story facility is located at 601 Presidents Blvd., just off Eastern Parkway and blocks east of U of L's Belknap campus.

At a time when officers often feel alone, the first thing they see at The Summit is a wall of support.

"There's not chance this would be in existence without these people on this wall," said LMPD Maj. Bryan Edelen. "It represents what the police foundation is trying to do. It's an entire city saying, 'we support you.' We need a healthy, whole officer responding to us when we call 911."

There are five pillars of the Summit: physical, spiritual, mental, social and financial health.

The fitness center and basketball court is for the physical part. LMPD plans to have three full-time mental health counselors, along with a specific room dedicated to meditation.

The chaplain, Rev. Dr. Teresa O'Bannon, is someone police can trust for spiritual support.

"Officers are under a great deal of stress out in the community, eyes are on them," O'Bannon said. "Sometimes things are said out in the community. I know that it can affect them, and to be able to have a safe space is really important."

According to the National Institutes of Health, police officers have nearly double the depression rate compared to the general population. Police officers are also more susceptible to heart disease. Incidents like the mass shooting at Old National Bank earlier this year are traumatic events, but nearly every call police respond to is someone's worst day.

"We see all the bad stuff, and we have to take that all in," said LMPD Officer Todd Richardson, the health & safety director. "For a 20-year career, if you think about your worst day you've ever had. Now, take that over a 20-year period."

Just two weeks into the new facility, the department is already seeing the benefits.

"Everybody interacts with police," said Rebecca Grignon-Reker, executive director of the Louisville Metro Police Foundation. "Literally every part of our community is touched by the police, and if we take care of them, then they can take better care of us."

It's a place for officers to better themselves and in turn, better the community.

The wellness center used to be the Humana Gym. In 2019, the University of Louisville opted to close its employee fitness center to save $1 million a year.

It featured a basketball court, indoor walking track, weight equipment and locker rooms.

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