About The Wellness Pizza
Our Story
At the heart of the Wellness Pizza is a mission driven by passion, creativity, and a deep commitment to fostering holistic well-being for children and adolescents. Created by Yale child psychiatrist, Dr. Ayotunde Ayobello, the Wellness Pizza was born out of the desire to improve how children and adolescents learned about mental health and wellness.
In the course of his work with hundreds of children and families, Dr. Ayobello identified a gap in how mental health concepts were communicated to younger audiences. He recognized that traditional approaches often fell short in engaging young minds.
Drawing on his background as an artist and painter, Dr. Ayobello observed that children resonated deeply with his sketches, illustrations, and analogies. He quickly recognized the critical role of visual stimulation in how children and adolescents learn.
The human brain, with its approximately 86 billion neurons, devotes about 30% of its cortex to visual processing—that's several billion neurons dedicated solely to sight! This emphasizes just how crucial visual stimulation is in learning and information retention.
Consulting with a team of experts including mental health professionals, educators, software engineers and artists, he set out to create a product that seamlessly blended education, creativity, and therapeutic value. After several trials and iterations, the Wellness Pizza was officially launched in 2023 in New Haven, Connecticut (The Pizza Capital of the United States!)
At the core of the Wellness Pizza's philosophy is the belief that wellness is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Just as every child is unique, so too is their path to well-being. The Wellness Pizza serves as a customizable canvas, allowing the user to put together slices that resonate with them and reflect their personal wellness goals. These combinations are dynamic and evolve over time to reflect the ever-changing nature of personal growth and wellness.
Each slice of the Wellness Pizza is accompanied by a number of effective learning prompts, games and social groups that transform abstract wellness concepts into an interactive and integrated experience. Children are quickly empowered to connect with, understand, and take ownership of their mental health journey, all while building a supportive community of like-minded peers.
Join us as we embark on this journey to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, families, and communities worldwide. Through our dedication to education, play and creativity, we strive to build a brighter future, one slice at a time!
Experience The Wellness Pizza: A Visual Journey to Wellness
