The YMCA has long been affiliated with health and wellness. Fitness classes, personal training, youth sports, 5K runs, tennis/racquetball, and swimming comprise only a few of the offerings that help keep its members fit and healthy. Recently, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas has placed a focus on mental health as well, taking a holistic approach to addressing mind and body wellness.
In 2018, the Dallas YMCA initiated the first steps of a new strategic plan which included forming a focus group that surveyed the community to get feedback on how the YMCA is perceived as well as what the community would like to see added to its list of services. Incorporating programs that address mental health throughout the community was a frequently discussed topic of conversation.
…We wanted this group to help us define what the Y’s role should be internally and externally in mental health, how to increase awareness, and how we can play a bigger role in addressing the mental health needs of our community.”
YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas President and CEO, Curt Hazelbaker
“Comments were made regarding mental health issues within our community in a variety of ways, such as bullying through social media and the impact of social media on mental health, particularly in teens,” says YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas President and CEO, Curt Hazelbaker. “We heard from parents about the pressures their kids feel about getting good grades to get into the right schools, moms brought up postpartum depression, and we heard a lot about seniors feeling lonely and disconnected after the loss of a spouse. This feedback painted a picture that told us we need to be spending more time and resources on mental health.”
During the Dallas YMCA’s research process, members of the task force learned that America only has enough therapists to reach about 7% of the population. Lack of access to mental health professionals is a root cause of the current national mental health crisis, as more than 56% of Americans are seeking affordable and accessible help. Although a lack of access to mental health is concerning, it’s encouraging to know that 76% of Americans now consider their mental health as important as their physical health.
Fast forward to 2023, and the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas is continuing its mission to keep mental health at the forefront of discussions. Full-time Dallas YMCA staff members are now required to take a mental health first aid training course to help them identify potential signs that someone may be struggling with their mental health, questions to ask, and provide referral resources if needed. “It’s an initial awareness step and education about how we can refer our members and program participants to mental health professionals who can help them,” Hazelbaker says. “Next is determining how we can work additional mental health services into our membership offerings.”
The Dallas YMCA has also established a referral network/mental wellness focus group comprised of notable professionals in health, wellness, and education to learn ways to design mental health programs for the community and how to best promote them. Members of the group are affiliated with major hospitals, local school districts, and prominent healthcare leaders to name a few.
“When you look at the Dallas Y overall, we serve more than 200,000 people each year,” Hazelbaker says. “We touch a lot of lives through sports, swimming, camps, fitness classes, and more. We have a pretty good reach. Therefore, we wanted this group to help us define what the Y’s role should be internally and externally in mental health, how to increase awareness, and how we can play a bigger role in addressing the mental health needs of our community. All members agreed that if it weren’t for this initiative, they may not have the opportunity to sit down and work together on this issue, so this has been a priority. I can’t say enough about how well this partnership has come together. The impact from more people talking about this issue, particularly among this caliber of professionals, is so important.”
The committee is working to develop more mental health awareness training via the Grant Halliburton Foundation so that YMCA part-time, seasonal, and volunteer team members can also recognize potential mental health issues. Often, they interact with Y members more than full-time staff members. “They are the people who have direct exposure to our community—through kids’ sports, families, and seniors,” Hazelbaker says. “The training will include how to recognize mental health struggles in others and how to access support through our resource network. As the Y continues to grow, this training and awareness will permeate everything we do.”
The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas has pinpointed five ways its members can care for their mental health and encourage others to do so as well. These key tips will be incorporated in the messaging the YMCA promotes as it continues to grow this new initiative.
1. Prioritize Face-To-Face Social Connection.
The U.S. surgeon general recently called loneliness a “public health crisis.” The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the isolation our digitally dependent nation was already facing, affecting mental and physical health. The Y is a place where people gather and find commonalities, whether on the basketball court or in one of its many programs.
2. Stay Active.
Regular exercise has a tremendous positive impact on mental and emotional health, relieving stress, and promoting better sleep. The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas offers 16 facilities equipped with a variety of equipment, basketball courts, indoor tracks, and pools at some locations, and a combined 1000 exercise classes per week.
3. Eat A Balanced, Healthy Diet.
Eating processed foods or foods high in sugar has been shown to negatively impact hormone and energy levels, exacerbating negative moods. Access to nutritious foods and nutrition education is an ongoing issue in North Texas. The Y offers several courses, such as its Fit for Health program and cooking classes, that educate members on how to shop for and prepare nutritious meals. Through The Catalyst Initiative, the Y has distributed more than 450,000 pounds of produce and provided over 110,000 meals in the years following the COVID-19 shutdown and continues this effort throughout the area.
4. Become Part of a Team.
Being part of a team has been shown to improve self-esteem and promote a sense of belonging, while also reducing levels of depression and stress. More than 56,000 youth learned the power of teamwork and self-belief in the YMCA’s local sports programs last year.
5. Find Purpose.
Engaging in work or a hobby that makes you feel useful or helps others can boost your sense of well-being. As a charity organization, the YMCA depends on volunteers to bring resources and programming into communities. Last year alone, more than 5,500 volunteers contributed over 175,000 hours to help serve their fellow North Texans.
The YMCA Key Leaders Luncheon will connect key community and business leaders with timely local issues that have regional impact while sharing a few accomplishments and priorities of the YMCA. The Key Leaders Luncheon will be held from noon to 1:15 p.m. at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel (2222 North Stemmons Freeway.) Learn more at https://www.ymcadallas.org/KEYLEADERS.
