YMCA elevates teen mental health resources in May and beyond
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month and the YMCA of Western North Carolina is highlighting the importance of early intervention and access to resources. The Y now offers several free youth and teen mental health related courses (in English and Spanish), including Youth Mental Health First Aid and the newest Together for Wellness.
“Together for Wellness is a new effort to connect Spanish communities with free, accessible mental health tools,” said Maria Suarez, YMCA community teen director and Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor. “Through this collaboration with Our VOICE and Seek Healing, we’re creating virtual spaces where people can learn, ask questions, and build stronger support systems for themselves and their communities.”
Youth Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based course that gives adults the tools to identify, understand, and respond to someone who might be struggling with a mental health or substance use challenge — and connect them with appropriate support and resources when necessary.
Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can be difficult to detect. Friends and family members may find it hard to know when and how to step in. As a result, those in need of mental health services often do not receive care until it is too late.
“As an educator whose love language is teaching, I firmly believe that the Youth Mental Health First Aid training empowers and equips adults to support the mental wellness of young people within our community,” said Suarez. “Our youth need safe and trusted adults in their lives to thrive.”
As teen mental health challenges reach alarming levels, the NC Alliance of YMCAs is also stepping up with a new interactive Teen Mental Health Resource Hub, now live at www.ncymcas.org/teenmentalhealth.
The Hub, launched in time for Mental Health Awareness Month, offers teens an engaging mental health style quiz, an emoji-style check-in, and direct links to support. Built with teens in mind, it emphasizes one key message: you are not alone.
“Our goal is to make it easier—and less intimidating—for teens to start conversations about mental health,” said Sheree Vodicka, CEO of the NC Alliance of YMCAs. “We want every teen to know that it’s okay to not feel okay all the time, that support is out there, and it’s okay to ask for help.”
To sign up for the Together for Wellness program, please click here.
Click here for more information on the Y’s additional mental health resources and the partners they work with.