Mental Health
Gallatin Valley YMCA
Supporting
Mental Health
in our Community
WRITTEN BY LACEY ENOS
The YMCA has been around for nearly two centuries – changing and evolving through many an era to better serve its communities. Each YMCA community has its own unique challenges and characteristics that affect the programs and services offered. The Gallatin Valley and its local YMCA are no different. Established in 2000 and relocated to a new facility in 2017, the Gallatin Valley Y has grown and adapted to help its community manage and overcome current events and challenges. The Y strives to be a beacon for the community during the difficult times people face, both independently and as a collective. The Y provides services that offer healthy outlets and help for people struggling with various mental health issues. They support our community by tapping into services that aid our local youth in developing positive mental health practices. The Gallatin Valley YMCA is focused on helping kids grow into their best selves. They do this by offering programs that teach social-emotional learning, confidence, teamwork and the process of creating/reaching personal goals. As the youth in our community grow, so do the Y’s strategies and programs that help them progress through their next stage of life. When a child starts their Y journey at the Early Learning Center, they are introduced to the essential first stages of socialization – learning, sharing and kindness – even before speech begins. The Y additionally offers opportunities for younger kids to participate in Small Fry sports that introduce kids to team play and teamwork – allowing them to further develop important social skills. At the next stage, elementary-aged kids who get involved in the Y’s Youth Sports programs learn teamwork and have the opportunity to practice processing difficult emotions.
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Additionally, the kids who attend Y Summer Camps also have the opportunity to learn and practice social-emotional skills that will help them progress and thrive in the next school year. Kids in Y camps are not the only ones learning more about their emotions. This year, the YMCA has partnered with the amazing Compassion Project team to train our camp counselors. “The Compassion Project cultivates compassion through the tools of art and mindfulness. Mindfulness, or awareness of the present moment, is an incredibly powerful tool.” Partnering with the Compassion Project team to train staff helps to ensure kids attending summer camp will have the best experience as well as prevent staff burnout. Finally, after a child has outgrown their early learning and youth programs, the YMCA offers the Y Strong Program to kids looking to become more confident in the gym. The Y Strong Program not only helps guide pre-teens and teens around gym equipment and how to use it, but it also teaches them why exercise is essential not only for their body but also for their mental health. This program aims to give teens a healthy outlet where they can gain confidence and knowledge that will help them as they enter adulthood. The Gallatin Valley YMCA is for everyone—it’s a place where community members of any age can learn essential skills that help them grow physically and mentally. It’s a place where the community can come together to support each other and be supported. It’s a place where everyone can be open with who they are and be welcomed. Finally, it’s a place where you belong. Written by Lacey Enos, Marketing Coordinator at the Gallatin Valley YMCA.
