As schools in North Texas close for summer break, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas is launching a new initiative aimed at enhancing youth mental health. The program, named “YES YOU CAN!”, is set to begin in June 2025 and will provide vital mental health resources to approximately 600 children and teenagers attending YMCA summer camps and learning academies.
This program results from a partnership between the YMCA, the Grant Halliburton Foundation, Metrocare, Momentous Institute, and the Center for BrainHealth. Giselle Patterson, Associate Vice President of Community Health at the YMCA, emphasizes the importance of meeting children and families where they are. She notes that the program is thoughtfully designed to align with YMCA culture and aims to support parents and counselors in a non-intrusive manner that fosters growth in mental wellness.
The pilot program will focus on a multi-layered support system, addressing the needs of not only the campers but also their families and counselors. This initiative was established in response to troubling statistics regarding youth mental health post-COVID. Data indicates that 40% of high school students reported symptoms of depression in 2023, a steep rise from 20% in 2011. Additionally, 42% of teenagers experience persistent feelings of hopelessness or sadness.
Patterson points out that many children arrive at summer programs with unmet mental health needs due to lack of school resources during the break. “Since COVID, we have learned that the demand for mental health support and prevention has greatly increased,” she explains. “This program aims to fill those gaps.”
Financial backing for the initiative comes from various philanthropic organizations, including Lyda Hill Philanthropies, the Hersh Foundation, and The Bette Rathjen Foundation for Emotional Health. Through this funding, the program will train counselors in mental health awareness, offer dedicated programming for youth, and provide resources for parents. Licensed professionals will also be accessible in person and online during the camps.
The program incorporates scientific principles of brain plasticity, which refer to the brain’s ability to adapt and change. It utilizes existing tools from partner organizations to create a cohesive approach to mental health support. Each of the YMCA sites, including Summer Learning Academies and Teen Camps, will implement this program, allowing for direct engagement with youth during the summer months.
The program will feature several key components: – **Counselor Training**: Summer staff will receive training to identify and address mental health needs in campers effectively. – **Youth Programming**: Structured activities will focus on building resilience and promoting emotional well-being among children and teens. – **Parental Support**: Parents will receive resources and training to continue mental health practices at home, ensuring a supportive environment. – **Professional Access**: Metrocare will provide licensed mental health professionals on-site and virtually, ensuring that expert support is readily available.
Tate Ringer, Chief Strategy Officer at Metrocare, highlights the necessity of such preventive measures. He notes that one in four individuals will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. “These statistics are alarming. We need more prevention initiatives like this one.”
The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas established a mental health advisory board in 2022, and this program emerged from discussions within that board. If the pilot proves successful, plans are in place to expand the initiative to serve 7,000 YMCA campers across the Dallas-Fort Worth area next summer.
Patterson expresses optimism about the project, stating, “Our goal is to help children and teens become more resilient and improve their overall well-being. We anticipate that this program will positively impact our community.”
For more information about “YES YOU CAN!” and other programs offered by the YMCA, visit their website.
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