YMCA Europe’s Post

Investing in the mental health and well-being of children is crucial for their future success. Research shows that many adults struggling with mental health issues today trace their challenges back to their early childhood experiences. That's why it's essential to equip young kids with problem-solving skills and coping mechanisms. By doing so, we can empower them to become resilient, confident, and capable adults. V4A's after-school programs are dedicated to supporting immigrant kids in developing these critical life skills. Their programs focus on: - Social skills development - Stress management techniques - Character development By providing a safe, supportive environment, V4A is helping shape a brighter future for these young individuals.

Men’s Mental Health: Breaking the Silence The stigma around men’s mental health is deeply rooted in the notion that men must be “tough.” This outdated belief can prevent men from seeking the help they need. Challenging this stigma involves redefining what it means to be strong. True strength lies in acknowledging one’s vulnerabilities and taking steps to address them. By promoting a culture of openness and support, we can help men feel more comfortable seeking help and talking about their mental health. Talking about mental health can make a world of difference. Open conversations can break down the barriers of stigma and provide a sense of relief and connection. When men share their experiences, it not only helps them but also encourages others to do the same. This can foster a supportive community where mental health is openly discussed and addressed. Remember, it’s okay to talk about it, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Let’s work together to break the silence and support men’s mental health. If you feel that you want someone to speak with, I'm always available. https://lnkd.in/eGRdWHRZ #mensmentalhealth #mentalhealth

Reassure your child that their feelings and thoughts are important and valid.  Encourage them to share their concerns and questions about psychological support, and answer them as openly and honestly as you can. Let them know that it's okay to feel nervous about trying something new but that you'll be there with them every step of the way. Explaining the need for psychological support to your child is an opportunity to reinforce your relationship, built on trust, open communication, and mutual respect.  By approaching the conversation with sensitivity, positivity, and reassurance, you can help your child view psychological support as a positive step toward understanding themselves better and learning valuable life skills. I help parents identify and overcome obstacles preventing their child from thriving in school & at home ... 🏠 DM 'Let's Talk' to find out how! #educationalpsychologist #educationalpsychology #childpsychologist #childpsychology #edpsych #specificlearningdisability #specificlearningdifficulties #specialeducation #specialeducationalneeds #senparent #senparenting #senparents #educationalpsychologistkent #educationalpsychologykent #kentschool #kentmums #kentkids #kentmumscircle #kentschool #kentparents

Watch this space We are in the process of reviewing the training and support offers that are available across our work. Over the last 3 years we have focused on the following: - Distribution of more than 300 youth work bursaries level 2 and level 3 with the NYA funded by DCMS - Online training sessions on trauma informed practice, mental health and well being and detached youth work. We would like to get feedback on the following: Impact - What impact the training has had: - How people have used it personally - How this impacted on their organisations - How this has developed their practice with young people - Key issues people are facing in their work - What future development and support needs

Though I am still processing the implications of this shift in focus and terminology relating to social emotional learning, I align with the premise of this article: Social justice must be placed at the heart of social emotional learning. Traumas do not reside individually; they manifest as an exposed wound deeply ingrained in our collective psyche. Therefore, the healing process should take on a form of collective learning, emphasizing dialogue, co-learning, and mutual acknowledgment. https://lnkd.in/epbScBDb

Emotional and mental health are crucial aspects of our well-being, yet they often go unnoticed in our daily hustle. This insightful blog dives deep into understanding and addressing these vital areas. Key highlights include: Recognizing Emotional Triggers: Learn how to identify and manage the factors that impact your emotional balance. Building Mental Resilience: Practical tips to strengthen your mental health and navigate life's challenges. The Power of Self-Care: Why prioritizing yourself is essential and how to make it a habit. Breaking the Stigma: A call to normalize conversations around mental health and seek support when needed. Take a moment to explore this thoughtful piece and reflect on your own emotional and mental well-being. Let's continue fostering a culture of awareness and support! link - https://lnkd.in/dBsnjbKK

Happy School Psychology Week! As outlined in the video linked below, too many students in Canada face unmet learning and social-emotional needs, leading to challenges that often persist into adulthood. School-based psychological services provided by school psychologists are essential for addressing these issues by offering universal, equitable, and free access, as well as prevention, early detection, and intervention. However, systemic challenges—such as high student-to-psychologist ratios, long waitlists, and underutilization of school psychologists’ expertise—limit their impact. Watch this short video on how we can advocate for change: https://lnkd.in/gcwhiBqx 📄 For more information on this topic, read the CPA position paper on Mental Health Care for Canadian Children and Youth: The Role of School Psychologists https://lnkd.in/gKKM7mSC

The power of nurture and the Boxall Profile® Online in supporting pupil's social, emotional and mental health need 💜

As a child and adolescent psychologist, my mission is to empower our youth with the tools to navigate anxiety and stress, especially during critical moments like national exams. It's about more than just performing well—it's about mindset building, recognizing their emotions, preventing burnout, and optimizing their overall performance. I was honored to collaborate with College la Fontaine, the oldest private school in Tunis since 1991, to conduct an interactive session with their 9th graders. We focused on strategies to excel in national exams while prioritizing mental health. This wasn't just a lecture—it was an engaging space where students shared their thoughts and received personalized guidance. Additionally, I hosted a workshop for parents of 6th graders to discuss the psychological challenges young minds face, the importance of reducing pressure, and building resilience in children in order for them to lead a fulfilling learning journey, supported by their caregivers. Creating supportive and understanding environments is essential for our youth to thrive. Let's continue prioritizing mental health in education and equipping young minds with the necessary tools to achieve their dreams and overcome the obstacles that come in the way. #MentalHealth #YouthEmpowerment #Education #Resilience #ChildPsychology #MentalHealthMatters

I am Proud to now be a Part of The Mente Hermosa Academy - and Here's Why I am Endorsing it.   https://lnkd.in/erA-iVK9   For those of you have not heard of it or do not know what it is about, here is a brief explanation. ‘Mente Hermosa’ translates from the Spanish as ‘a beautiful mind’ and is based on the idea of positive parenting and the ‘Love Languages of Children’. It is about things that you can do for your child to show them they are loved. It is not just the obvious things like kisses and cuddles, but things like praise, positive affirmation, and recognition for the things they have done. It can also be doing things with the child such as playing games, doing crafts, cooking meals, and sports, but also help with things such as their homework, or helping them get ready for a club or activity, and involving them in the things you are doing What Charlotte does is to show teachers, parents, social workers etc what may be lacking in the child’s life, in terms of the love it is receiving and the way in which it is receiving it. You do not have to be a psychologist, social worker or clinical psychiatrist to see how this addresses many of those issues that are at the root of social and mental health problems in later life. How many times have we heard people talk of how they have tried to ‘compensate’ for what they felt was lacking in their childhood – from simple things such as a toy they wanted, to a father-figure that was absent or ‘emotionally distant’, to things such as body image. It also holds out the promise of preventing issues developing into things such as social phobias, anxieties, confidence and communication issues, even bullying.   It also has the potential to inoculate individuals against things such as grooming, gang culture, radicalisation, domestic abuse, even setbacks in their own career. The fact that it has the potential to eliminate a number of ‘personality disorders’ also means that it also has the potential to free up clinicians to focus on more serious mental disorders. And this is before we begin to look at the economic factors such as the cost to the economy and medical profession of addressing anxiety, depression, drug addiction, caring and mental health issues. The cost of addressing crime through the police and judicial system. The damage to society that comes from supporting families in broken homes, people that are in the wrong jobs and/or economically inactive because they have not found what they were good at, to name but a few. I am willing to predict that it will become the dominant approach to tackling social issues in the future because it is a way of tackling social issues - BEFORE they become social issues. It addresses many of the weaknesses of social prescribing and other ‘interventionist’ approaches, which I and others have drawn attention to on this platform and elsewhere.