Singapore – With increasing concerns over youth mental health in Singapore, Metropolitan YMCA Singapore (MYMCA) has taken a pivotal role in championing mental wellness for youths and their communities. Over the years, MYMCA has dedicated its resources to addressing the emotional and psychological challenges faced by youths of today, creating safe spaces for conversations and equipping young individuals with tools to foster mental well-being.
From outreach programmes to educational workshops, MYMCA has been at the forefront of providing holistic approaches to mental health since 2012. These efforts are part of a broader initiative that aligns with the Community Wellbeing Pillar of the World YMCA’s Vision 2030, which aims to foster environments where individuals can thrive in body, mind, and spirit.
A Strong Commitment to Mental Health Education
MYMCA has since expanded its mental health-related efforts across schools, communities, and digital platforms, recognising that early education on mental health is essential for building resilience. Through partnerships with entities such as Hongkong Land and Beyond The Label, MYMCA has successfully implemented programmes that cater to the emotional needs of youth today.
One such example would be M.Y Mentoring, a tailor-made experiential learning programme for schools and communities which focuses on providing a safe and nurturing space for youths to share their experiences, thoughts, and feelings with older trained mentors. To-date, over 1,630 students have been mentored by 600 youth volunteers in 17 schools islandwide on mental wellness, character development and community service to confidently navigate life transitions.
Youth Got It 2024: Dear Emotions,
In line with these initiatives, MYMCA is set to host its third annual Youth Symposium, Youth Got It, on Saturday 12 October 2024, which will focus on helping youths explore, embrace, and express their emotions in the often conservative social context of Singapore.
Youth Got It 2024 provides a platform where mental health discussions take centre stage, led by youths for youths. The symposium will feature keynote speakers, interactive panel discussions, and thematic breakout rooms that allow for experiential learning, encouraging participants to delve deeper into emotional awareness and resilience.
Building on the success of the past two years, Youth Got It has earned recognition for its youth-centric approach to addressing topics such as work-related stress (2022) and healthy friendships (2023) and was supported by public figures such as Adrian Pang, Jeanette Aw and Rui En who have come forward to share their mental wellness journeys.
This year’s event is set to dive deeper, fostering emotional literacy and providing practical strategies for navigating emotions in today’s high-pressure environments, featuring key voices – Adrian Ang (Xiao Ming from SGAG), Mr Johnathan Chua & Ms Patrina Tan–Chua (CEO / Co-founder, GRVTY Media) and Events and Radio Presenter Ms Chow Jia Hui – who will share about how they navigated their emotions, staying motivated and resilient in the face of life’s challenges in the fast-paced social landscape of Singapore.
“Our youths are facing a complex emotional landscape,” said Ms Denise Chan, General Manager of MYMCA’s Active Community Transformation Services Division. “Through Youth Got It and MYMCA’s other initiatives, we aim to provide them with the support they need to express their emotions and build the emotional resilience to face future challenges.”
For more details on Youth Got It 2024, visit www.mymcaygi.org