LiveWell connects community members

In Douglas County, a project is making waves in community connection.

LiveWell is one of nine public support strategies resulting from the 2022 “Reimagining Mental Health in Douglas County” initiative, which is supported by Essentia Health. Its impact includes increasing suicide-prevention training, bringing trauma-informed care to schools and supporting retreats for mental health workers, among other efforts.

Spearheaded by Lynn Goerdt, Ph.D., of the University of Wisconsin-Superior, LiveWell is now a part of the Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Well-Being and includes hosting a variety of free weekly events such as pickleball, cooking classes and craft meet-ups.

“Loneliness and isolation are real. The benefit of being in community is so valuable,” said Goerdt.

Stephanie Lambert has been intentional about building community after her husband died two years ago. Since hearing about LiveWell’s Story Lines event, she hasn’t missed one yet. Lambert recently shared holiday traditions with an intergenerational group of 10 at the Lew Martin Senior Center.

“I’m united with people, and I feel like I connected with home again,” she said.

Essentia Health has contributed $56,400 to LiveWell since 2022.

“We’re grateful for Essentia’s support and look forward to all the ways we’ll be able to contribute to connection and improved well-being in the upcoming year,” Goerdt said.