Supporting Parents’ Well-Being at the YMCA

By: Laura McCann, Mental Health Director at Metro YMCA of the Oranges | Thursday, September 12, 2024 | Healthy Living

Mother and young child having fun. Credit: iStock

Recently, the U.S. Surgeon General advised that parental stress is an urgent public health issue, impacting not only parents directly, but children and society as a whole in the United States. 

As a community nonprofit, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges plays an important role in creating spaces for connection that improve the health of everyone in our communities, including adults. Offering opportunities for individuals and communities to engage in physical activity, increase social connection, mental health education, and connection to mental health resources, are great ways the Y can help promote mental, emotional, and social wellness. 

To further support the mental, emotional, and social wellbeing of individuals and communities, specifically parents and caregivers, the Metro Y is excited to offer the following programs: 

• The Y for Wellbeing program at our West Essex location provides adults struggling with mental health challenges the opportunity to engage in physical activity, social opportunities, and mental health education at a reduced membership rate
• Resources and referrals to community-based services that can assist in improving the mental health of youth, parents, and families
• A series of free parent-focused educational workshops open to the community and offered live via Zoom: 
• October 1: Strategies for Effective Toilet Training
• October 3: Creating Space to Connect with Your Teen
• Email Mental Health Director Laura McCann at lmccann@metroymcas.org for registration information

The Metro Y is also working to ensure the mental, emotional, and social wellbeing of our staff and members is supported through: 

• Training staff to recognize, respond, and refer when they notice someone who may be struggling by providing Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. We are also proud to have several staff certified in mental and emotional wellbeing through a partnership with the Rutgers University Office of Continuing Education.
• Ensuring everyone can participate in our programming through our financial assistance program
• Supporting staff wellness through expanded support and training resources 
• Expanding partnerships with local mental health providers to better meet the needs of our communities
• Hiring 3 new Mental Health Specialists to support our branches in implementing mental and emotional wellbeing programming

Everyone can play a role in supporting mental, emotional, and social well-being. The Y encourages you to identify simple ways you can care for others, such as:

• Using your powers of observation to notice when someone may be struggling with a hard day, moment or situation.
• Intentionally asking “how are you?” and encouraging honest answers so others can share and feel heard.
• Bringing compassion and kindness to your daily interactions.
• When you notice someone struggling, connecting them to mental health resources like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988 or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org).The Y has provided resources at https://www.metroymcas.org/main/mental-health-community-support/ to help those struggling with mental health.