If you are suffering in a mental health crisis, you can call 988 for mental health emergencies, or text HOME to 741741 for the crisis text line.
We all have mental health. However, we aren't always comfortable talking about it. The Y strives to support a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. One way we do this is by helping adults, especially parents and other caregivers, get comfortable talking with youth and each other about mental health.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness – St. Louis (NAMI – St. Louis), "one in 5 American adults experience some form of mental illness in any given year. Across the nation, 1 in every 25 adults is living with a serious mental illness such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or long-term recurring depression. Many people living with mental illness do not seek treatment or remain unaware of their symptoms." At the Gateway Region YMCA, we aim to remove the stigma that is often attached with mental illness, create communities in which parents support each other, and encourage regular conversation about mental wellness.
Starting the Conversation
Listen to a panel discussion with parents and health professionals who share their experiences raising and supporting youth with mental health challenges. To find or schedule a program, contact Earlisha Jefferson at earlisha.jefferson@gwrymca.org.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
This international program helps parents and caregivers recognize when youth are struggling with mental health and gives them guidance on how to communicate effectively in those situations. To find or schedule a program, contact Jeff Wilson at jeff.wilson@gwrymca.org.
Trauma Aware Lens
This training created by Alive and Well Communities teaches people about Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adverse Community Environments and their long-term effects on physical and mental health. To find our schedule a program, contact Caroline Mitchell at caroline.mitchell@gwrymca.org.
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