KC One Health Day 2025: Mental Health’s Link to Physical, Environmental and Animal Health

As environmental challenges intensify and the connections between human, animal and planetary health become increasingly clear, Greater Kansas City is emerging as a leader in addressing these complex health issues through innovative collaboration among regional institutions.

This year’s Kansas City One Health Day brought together researchers, students and health professionals from BioNexus KC, the University of Kansas Medical Center and Johnson County Education Research JCERT partners K-State Olathe and the KU Edwards Campus to address a critical yet often overlooked connection: how the well-being of our minds is intrinsically linked to the health of our bodies, the animals in our lives and the environment we all share. K-State Olathe hosted the event Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.

By bringing these leading organizations together, Kansas City One Health Day demonstrated how partnerships can strengthen the region's economic competitiveness and create opportunities that directly benefit students, healthcare organizations and the broader community.

Understanding the One Health Approach
One Health is a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach that brings together experts from human medicine, veterinary science, environmental health and other disciplines to address complex problems. One Health’s aim is to improve community health at the intersection of these fields.

The approach has proven particularly valuable in addressing zoonotic diseases, or illnesses that spread between animals and humans. One Health is recognized as an effective framework for tackling antimicrobial resistance, food safety and climate change impacts because it addresses the fundamental interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health systems, enabling coordinated solutions that would be impossible through isolated, sector-specific approaches.

Making Mental Health a One Health Priority
This year’s theme brought mental health into the One Health conversation, acknowledging that psychological well-being doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Speakers at the event showcased the profound connections between mental health and environmental, animal and human health factors, sharing compelling research and insights with attendees.

Building Future Regional Health Leadership
One Health Day offered area high school and college students a unique opportunity to present research posters and compete for cash scholarships. Involvement from students at JCERT partner organizations K-State Olathe and KU Edwards Campus ensures that the next generation of health professionals, researchers and policymakers understand the interconnected nature of human, animal and environmental health challenges and are equipped to develop innovative solutions.

As health challenges facing our communities become increasingly complex, the One Health approach offers a path forward that recognizes we cannot achieve optimal human health without also addressing animal and environmental health. K-State Olathe continues to address critical workforce needs in health and life sciences while fostering the cross-institutional collaboration that makes the Kansas City region a leader in innovative approaches to complex health challenges.

Visit K-State Olathe for more information about One Health initiatives.