Demand for online mental wellness program for youth skyrockets in B.C.
Posted May 4, 2020 10:12 pm.
Last Updated May 4, 2020 10:13 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — As many people deal with heightened levels of anxiety and stress due to COVID-19, some mental health providers are seeing a sharp rise in demand for support from young people.
A free province-wide YMCA mental health initiative has seen a dramatic increase in enrollment after going virtual this week.
They received more than 200 requests for less than 100 spots after promoting the programs for just three days.
Sarah Blackmore, manager of YMCA’s mental wellness programs says, the virtual services are led by mental health professionals who offer youth healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress.
“We’re seeing a three-times increase in the number of young people interested in our programming. It’s just showing that this is a particularly stressful time,” she said.
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The Y Mind initiative is a six or seven-week program that helps youth from ages 13-30 deal with mild to moderate anxiety, stress, and depression. The programs offer a wide range of activities including using music, art, media.
Blackmore says the programs create a safe space for youth and teens to honestly express how they’re feeling in group discussions.
“Asking questions like ‘How are you doing?’ and going beyond, ‘I’m good how are you?’ and really creating those really safe channels for that open dialogue.”
The Teen Mindfulness group runs until June 10, and the Youth Mindfulness group runs until June 18.
