A Healthy Community Is A Connected Community

Connections to resources and relationships are how we build a healthier, more resilient, and more fulfilled future.

Our mental health affects every aspect of our lives, from how we feel about ourselves, our relationships, and the world to how we solve problems and perform at school or work. Mental health is no less important than our physical health. In fact, good mental health is an essential ingredient to our overall well-being.

 

All of us, at all ages, experience fear, sadness, anxiety, or stress. These experiences can affect anyone, and those living with mental health conditions deserve our support, compassion, and care. 

Across the nation, we are experiencing a crisis specifically among children and youth concerning their mental health and emotional well-being. The U.S. Surgeon General has issued an advisory, calling attention to the urgency of this matter, stating the challenges American youth face today is “unprecedented and uniquely hard to navigate.” This crisis is real, widespread, and most importantly – preventable and treatable.

Supporting the mental health of children and youth will require a whole-of-society effort.

Here at the Y, we believe connections to resources and to one another can be the difference between opportunity and adversity.

THE Y'S ROLE

As a leader in the mental and behavioral health field for more than 40 years, we use the latest and best evidence to inform interventions, innovate services, and enhance programs to create a meaningful and lasting impact. We understand there isn’t a universal blanket to tackle this mental health crisis. That’s why we continue to offer specialized programs and therapeutic supports that represent our community’s voice, diversity, experience, and unique needs. 

While the past two years have been filled with rapid changes, stress, grief, exhaustion, and uncertainty, our YMCA Community Support Services team continues to serve our community in important and relevant ways.