Latest program growth at Kamloops Y focused on mental wellbeing

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Y is well known for its gyms, fitness and activity programs, and it’s also become a key provider of free mental health supports in Kamloops.

In response to a growing demand for mental health supports in the region, the Kamloops Y decided to ramp up its services several years ago. Today, the organization has a broad spectrum of programs that make mental health care more accessible and affordable.

On the heels of Mental Health Week in Canada, and during Mental Health Awareness Month, the Y is trying to let the community know what options are out there.

“We’ll offer what is needed in the community at any given time. Some of our groups we offer every single season. Others, it’s a couple of times a year. It really depends on what we’re seeing the need is,” explains Melanie Banman, the interim manager of mental wellness for the Kamloops Y.

Banman adds the Y’s focus on mental wellbeing has been growing for years. The pandemic acutely highlighted community demand and now the Y has more than dozen programs and workshops for different age groups and lifestyles.

“Our services are for people eight years old all the way up to 100 (years old) and older. We have groups that are focused on kiddos with anxiety, worries and stress, we have postpartum groups for mamas who are struggling a little bit after having their babies, we’ve got groups for seniors who are maybe experiencing some isolation,” she notes.

To remove cost barriers, the Y says its mind-focused programs are free to take part in and over the course of a year, more than 100 individuals make use of them.

“We recently completed an evaluation for our Growing Mindfully program in which 100 per cent of parents said they saw a difference in their kids after taking the program,” Banman explains. “It’s having a huge impact.”

Expansion plans are in the works for both ends of the age spectrum and other life experiences.

“Generally, we see a lot of grief as well in participants in our groups, so (we’re) looking at, can we provide something like that as well?” adds Banman.

The full list of current programs and more information can be found on the Kamloops Y’s website.