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How YMCA is supporting young people's mental health
YMCA is a safe place to talk and get help through guided groups, mentoring, counselling, and mental health services.
So many aspects of life in today’s world can contribute to the high incidence of mental health problems amongst young people.
A tough job market, the cost of living crisis, and expensive housing are just three. It doesn’t help matters that government funding for youth services has been depleted over the last several years.
This is what makes the work of our 9,300-strong team of staff and volunteers so vital in giving their time and care to help more than 400,000 young people with their mental health needs.
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YMCA provides qualified guidance to help 69,135 people build — or rebuild — their belief in themselves and a bright future.
YMCAs services includes (number of participants):
- Employment and careers advice –4,524
- Mentoring service – 1,005
- Mental health education and advice – 2,392
- Mental health counselling – 3,001
- Sexual health advice – 8,309
- Drug and alcohol advice and counselling – 1,573
- Welfare and benefits advice – 3,720
- Housing advice – 4,049
- Food banks and pantries– 7,693
Helping improve youth mental health
At YMCA, our approach is always to support the whole person. To this end our mission is to provide community spirit and togetherness, to offer support and advice on a broad range of subjects that include housing, physical and mental health and wellbeing, employment skills support, counselling, training and education, employment skills, access to real opportunities, and so much more.
We’re proud to be supporting 708 communities in England and Wales
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young people helped through qualified guidance at YMCA every year.
YMCA is so much more than somewhere to live.
Through one-to-one sessions with key workers, group programmes and courses, residents and young people learn the tools and skills to live independently and build towards a promising future.
Our work with mental health
Mental health, like physical health, is something that we all have, yet speaking openly about mental health is not always easy.
While as a society, there may be more awareness around mental health struggles, most people still find it difficult to talk openly about mental health face-to-face.
However, small chats with your friends, colleagues, and family members can go a long way to making sure you have a place to talk honestly about your feelings.
Small Talks is about taking the time to have these conversations and ensuring that we all make ourselves available to listen. With a few simple guides, we can all positively impact the mental health of those around us.
Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event taking place each year in May.
This year’s theme is community, which reflects how communities can provide ‘a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense of purpose.’
Community is at the heart of everything we do at YMCA. Whether it’s through our services or the everyday moments of connection, we believe in the importance of coming together to support one another.
Why not bring the Small Talks campaign to your YMCA, and spark positive conversations about mental health within your community?
Mental health is a huge issue for young people.
Together, we can help young people feel heard.
Frequently asked questions
Young people can face mental health challenges for a variety of reasons – from changes in brain development and big life transitions to stressful experiences like trauma, academic and financial pressures. On top of that, things like social media and shifting societal norms, such as longer time spent in education and financial uncertainty, can add even more pressure.
Yes, youth mental health does seem to be getting worse overall. There’s been a noticeable rise in mental health issues, hospital visits, and self-harm among young people. Some of this might be because people are more aware and open about talking about their struggles, which is a positive step. But there are also real challenges making things harder – like the rising cost of living, growing poverty, the constant buzz of social media and screens, and fewer opportunities for face-to-face connection.
In plain language, mental health is a state of emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. Mental wellbeing means it’s normal to have different emotions, to sometimes feel bothered by things or worried, or upset, just as it’s normal to feel especially happy about some things, or confused, or uncertain.
At YMCA, we’re all about supporting the whole person. That means building a sense of community and belonging, while offering help and advice across many areas – from housing and mental health to wellbeing, counselling, training, education, and job skills. Our goal is to create real opportunities and be there for people in whatever way they need.