Mind outside

Mind Outside is a free program geared toward children & youth who experience mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression. 

This program will involved a weekly outdoor adventure and a weekly mental wellness session. In the physical activity component, youth will learn first aid, outdoor safety, and other necessary skills for outdoor adventures. Participants will do activities scuh as hikinig, kayaking, swimming, etc around the Kamloops area. In the group mental wellness session, the counsellor will lead the youth through mindfulness practices and teach them tools to cope with and manage mental health and wellness concerns. 

Everyone feels worried or anxious at times and sometimes low mood or depression can get in the way of doing the things you want to do. The good news is we have learned that physical activity can improve mental health. Studies have shown that regular physcial activity can be as effective as medication or cognitive therapy for improving mental health and effectively treating depression and anxiety. That's why the Y offers Mind Outside programs for various age groups.

Eligibility
• We are running various age groups from ages 8-30 years old.
• Experiencing depression, low mood, anxiety, worry and/or stress
• No formal diagnosis is needed
• All fitness levels welcome

Benefits
• Opportunity to try a new physical activity every week
• Make new friends and have fun
• Mind Outside is FREE; YMCA membership is not required
• Participants receive a complimentary 12-week YMCA membership
• Learn how to manage mental health from experienced professionals in a safe environment

Mindful Adventure (Ages 13-17)

Mindful Adventure is a program that will expose participants to outdoor adventure while also creating an open space to talk about mental health. This program is designed to build confidence, learn new skills, increase mental wellness, and provide an alternative counselling environment. Mindful Adventure is for teens, ages 13-17 who experience mild to moderate anxiety and who have faced adversity in their lives. 

Program Dates: Saturdays, September 9 - October 21, 2023     Time: 9:30-12:30pm

*Participants must be comfortable participating in activities such as hiking, rock climbing and kayaking. 

Mind Outside (Ages 8-12) is a free week long 5-day program geared towards children who experience mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression. The program will involve a daily outdoor adventure and mental wellness session. In the physical activity component, children will learn first aid, outdoor safety, and other necessary skills for outdoor adventures. They will enjoy activities such as hiking, kayaking, swimming, etc around the Kamloops area. In the group mental wellness session, the counsellor will lead the participants through mindfulness practices and teach them tools to cope with and manage stress, worries and difficult emotions.

Teen Mind Outside (Ages 13-17) is a free 7-week program geared towards youth who experience mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression. 

The program will involve a weekly outdoor adventure and mental wellness session. In the physical activity component, youth will learn first aid, outdoor safety, and other necessary skills for outdoor adventures. They will do activities such as hiking, kayaking, swimming, etc around the Kamloops area. In the group mental wellness session, the counsellor will lead the youth through mindfulness practices and teach them tools to cope with and manage mental health and wellness concerns.

Youth Mind Outside (Ages 18-30) is a free 7-week program geared towards youth who experience mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression. 

The program will involve a weekly outdoor adventure and mental wellness session. In the physical activity component, youth will learn first aid, outdoor safety, and other necessary skills for outdoor adventures. They will do activities such as hiking, kayaking, swimming, etc around the Kamloops area. In the group mental wellness session, the counsellor will lead the youth through mindfulness practices and teach them tools to cope with and manage mental health and wellness concerns.

Please contact our Program Coordinator at 250-376-4771 ext.122 or mentalwellness@bc.ymca.ca for information on program dates.