YMCA joins YMind Initiative

Photo: Contributed

The YMCA of Okanagan is joining the YMCA of British Columbia’s Y Mind initiative to help young adults manage stress, worries and anxiety. With $3 million in funding support provided by the Government of British Columbia, the YMCA Mindfulness Group program, as a part of the Y Mind initiative, will expand to five regions across the province.
 
Through this expansion, more young people will have the chance to learn strategies to manage anxiety through evidence based programming led by trained mental health professionals.
 
“Y Mind will give young adults the tools to be able to cope with the stressors that are going on in life right now,” explains Y Mind Manager, Jan Locke. “So many individuals today feel the environment and world they live in creates anxiety and it can be extremely overwhelming. This program will help to take away the isolation and debilitation of anxiety.”
 
Mindfulness groups are open to young people between 18-30 years’ old who are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety. There is no cost to participate and referrals are not required. Each young person also receives a complimentary health and fitness membership to their local YMCA for the duration of the program.
 
One hundred per cent of participants surveyed say their quality of life improved after participating in a YMCA Mindfulness program.
 
With sessions throughout 2018 occurring at the Kelowna Family YMCA and Foundry Kelowna, the YMCA of Okanagan and participating partners intend to ensure this offering is easily accessible to young people in our community.
 
If you or someone you know is interested, the Y is offering information sessions on January 10 and 17 for their upcoming session starting January 31, 2018. To register please contact Jan at 250-317-7980or [email protected] or learn more at ymcaokanagan.ca/YMind.