The federal government is investing in two YMCA programs to help youth across the country who have been disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Public Health Agency of Canada said the social isolation, virtual learning challenges, job insecurity, and financial hardship experienced during the pandemic have worsened the mental health and well-being of youth.
As a result, the Government of Canada has committed $6.9 million to YMCAs across Canada to expand the organization’s “Y Mind” and “Mind Medicine” programs, which are intended for young people aged 13-30 years of age who are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression.
Andrew Lockie, CEO of YMCA of Southwestern Ontario, said the funding enables to YMCA “to provide free, effective tools and support to youth who are facing negative mental health impacts, emerging from the pandemic. The YMCA is passionate about the health of young people, and especially providing the skills to act as a foundation for mental wellness.”
The “Y Mind” program utilizes to evidence-based tools and connects young people with peers and experienced professionals. Mind Medicine is a similar program specifically designed for Indigenous young people, and will be implemented in partnership with Indigenous-serving organizations and communities.
The funding provided to the YMCA is part of a $100 million investment initially announced in the 2021 federal budget to support projects that promote mental health and prevent mental illness in populations disproportionately affected by the pandemic.