National Youth Mental Health Day: Building Mental Wealth Together

This Youth Mental Health Day, 19 September, YMCA South Midlands is celebrating the importance of giving young people opportunities to understand themselves, recognise their strengths and build positive foundations for their mental wellbeing.

Every young person has their own strengths, aspirations and experiences. At YMCA South Midlands, we work alongside young people to help them discover what works for them, build confidence and make informed choices about their future.

Our Mental Wealth service, delivered in collaboration with Makewell, is an important part of this approach. It gives young people opportunities to explore their mental wellbeing, develop greater self-understanding and access support that reflects their individual needs and aspirations.

For some young people, understanding their neurodiversity can be a positive step towards recognising how they experience the world, identifying their strengths and discovering approaches that work for them. We’re proud that through the support of our service 40 young people received an ASD or ADHD diagnostic assessment last year, with and additional 92 young people engaging in our mental health support services.

But building mental resilience isn’t always just about what’s going on in your head. Stress is also stored in our body. That’s why health and wellbeing programmes are a key part of life here at YMCA South Midlands. In the last year an average of 69 residents took part in health and wellbeing activities each month, creating opportunities to for them to get moving, connect with others and discover new interests. The response from young people has been overwhelmingly positive, with 89% rating our activities as great or very good.

There is no single route to positive mental wellbeing. For one young person, it might be having a conversation. For another, it could be gaining a greater understanding of their neurodiversity. For someone else, it might be getting active, discovering a new interest or connecting with their community.

This Youth Mental Health Day, we’re celebrating those different paths and the potential of every young person. By bringing together our Mental Wealth services (in collaboration with Makewell), alongside our health and wellbeing activities, we provide young people with opportunities to belong, contribute and thrive.