Y Mind aims to help those dealing with stress, anxiety

By KENDALL KING on March 7, 2023.

A new program offered by Medicine Hat’s YMCA is providing support at no charge to individuals aged 18-30 who struggle with mild-to-moderate stress and/or anxiety.

Led by trained mental health professionals, Y Mind is a free seven-week program designed to reduce the symptoms of stress and/or anxiety through participation in group learning and skill-building sessions.

“It’s based on principles of something called acceptance and commitment therapy which is an actual therapeutic modality that’s evidence-based and established (having) been around since the 1980s,” said Hayward. “So, the different skills that (participants learn) are things like mindfulness, visualization, learning how to ground yourself and learning how to be present in the moment.”

Though the program’s local launch is still upcoming, Hayward says it was shown to have a positive impact on individuals who took part in its pilot.

“Y Mind was developed and piloted by the YMCA of Vancouver initially,” said Hayward. “When they piloted it, they brought in some official evaluation as well, to make sure that the program was working as intended, and all of that information came out really strongly. So, they’ve decided to roll it out now throughout the whole country, to any YMCAs that are able and interested in offering it.

“It’s great timing … especially coming out of the pandemic, when we know that people’s mental health is struggling maybe more than it ever has been, and society is at a place, now, where we’re talking about it more than we ever have been.”

Medicine Hat’s YMCA will be offering two sessions of Y Mind: a Saturday session which runs from 1-4 p.m. Mar. 11 to Apr. 19, and a Tuesday evening session which runs from 6:30-9 p.m. Mar. 14 to Apr. 25.

While registration is required, both sessions are free of charge. Sessions are only open to individuals aged 18-30, however Hayward hopes to open the program to additional age groups in future.

Hayward stresses the program is specifically designed to help individuals experiencing mild-to-moderate symptoms of stress and/or anxiety, and therefore, may not benefit those who struggle with moderate-to-severe symptoms.

For more information or to register, visit medicinehatymca.ca/y-mind.

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