Healthy Communities • Healthy Kids
Hope for Healthy-Minded Communities
27 January 2016 - by June Findlay
Today, a much needed conversation about mental illness is taking place online, in workplaces, and between friends and family. Looking at the facts, it’s hard to deny that there is a great need to address mental health in our communities:
Health is defined as the condition of being sound in body, mind, and spirit. Exercising the body is important, but without the mental strength to get through the day (never mind get out of bed), the ability to live life is limited. At the YMCA of Greater Toronto, our missions is to build healthy communities, and we’re doing that by tackling the most critical social health issues in the GTA. We strive to offer children, teens, young adults and families the opportunity for personal growth, community involvement, and leadership.
As mental illness can impact so many aspects of our lives, our community is doing its best to address life situations where the illness may affect the way people make decisions, manage relationships with others or how they provide for their basic needs. One aspect we can improve on is creating safe spaces in which mental health can be talked about without judgement or fear. Today, the best way to advocate for mental illness is to start talking about it openly and honestly.
Here are some of the critical programs YMCA of Greater Toronto is providing to help those affected cope with mental health issues:
Vanauley Street YMCA and YMCA Sprott House
Youth experiencing homelessness in Toronto and those facing homelessness have a safe space at our Vanauley Street YMCA to get support, access to resources and talk to trained professionals to determine the best way to reach their goals. YMCA Sprott House offers a stable environment for LGBTQ2S youth to stay while they transition to a healthy adulthood.
Youth Gambling Awareness Program (YGAP)
For children as young as 8, our Youth Gambling Awareness Program (YGAP) teaches them and their families various coping strategies through relatable group activities and games that equips them with the tools they need to understand and identify addictive behavior.
Youth Substance Abuse Program (YSAP)
Substance use and mental illness often make appearances together in the lives of many youth in Toronto. The Youth Substance Abuse Program (YSAP) supports youth who may be struggling, or may have questions regarding substance use.
It is in our best interests as neighbours and friends to listen, to understand, and to care for those who struggle with mental illness. Ending the stigma of mental illness is a big factor in reducing the impact mental health is having on our community. Let’s start changing the conversation, and build a healthy community where we can talk openly about mental illness, and where those affected know that they don’t have to be ashamed to ask for help.
Read more information about mental health awareness and advocacy at the YMCA,
[mks_icon icon="icon-book-open" color="#dd3333" type="sl"] Mental Illness: A non-visible disability and
[mks_icon icon="icon-book-open" color="#dd3333" type="sl"] Alzheimers if more then just forgetfulness.
- 1 in 5 Canadians will experience mental illness
- Only 1 in 5 children who need mental health services actually receive them
- Two-thirds of homeless people using urban shelters suffer from some form of mental illness
- 2 in 3 people suffer in silence fearing judgement and rejection
Health is defined as the condition of being sound in body, mind, and spirit. Exercising the body is important, but without the mental strength to get through the day (never mind get out of bed), the ability to live life is limited. At the YMCA of Greater Toronto, our missions is to build healthy communities, and we’re doing that by tackling the most critical social health issues in the GTA. We strive to offer children, teens, young adults and families the opportunity for personal growth, community involvement, and leadership.
As mental illness can impact so many aspects of our lives, our community is doing its best to address life situations where the illness may affect the way people make decisions, manage relationships with others or how they provide for their basic needs. One aspect we can improve on is creating safe spaces in which mental health can be talked about without judgement or fear. Today, the best way to advocate for mental illness is to start talking about it openly and honestly.
Here are some of the critical programs YMCA of Greater Toronto is providing to help those affected cope with mental health issues:
Vanauley Street YMCA and YMCA Sprott House
Youth experiencing homelessness in Toronto and those facing homelessness have a safe space at our Vanauley Street YMCA to get support, access to resources and talk to trained professionals to determine the best way to reach their goals. YMCA Sprott House offers a stable environment for LGBTQ2S youth to stay while they transition to a healthy adulthood.
Youth Gambling Awareness Program (YGAP)
For children as young as 8, our Youth Gambling Awareness Program (YGAP) teaches them and their families various coping strategies through relatable group activities and games that equips them with the tools they need to understand and identify addictive behavior.
Youth Substance Abuse Program (YSAP)
Substance use and mental illness often make appearances together in the lives of many youth in Toronto. The Youth Substance Abuse Program (YSAP) supports youth who may be struggling, or may have questions regarding substance use.
It is in our best interests as neighbours and friends to listen, to understand, and to care for those who struggle with mental illness. Ending the stigma of mental illness is a big factor in reducing the impact mental health is having on our community. Let’s start changing the conversation, and build a healthy community where we can talk openly about mental illness, and where those affected know that they don’t have to be ashamed to ask for help.
Read more information about mental health awareness and advocacy at the YMCA,
[mks_icon icon="icon-book-open" color="#dd3333" type="sl"] Mental Illness: A non-visible disability and
[mks_icon icon="icon-book-open" color="#dd3333" type="sl"] Alzheimers if more then just forgetfulness.
