Teen struggling with mental health finds support and guidance at YMCA
11-03-2025
WARNING: This story contains content about mental illness.
As the COVID-19 pandemic was approaching, a teenager was struggling. Over the past several years, this young person has been in hospital numerous times because of disordered eating and thoughts of harming themself.
But it was conflict at home and difficulty managing the impacts of trauma that led them to the Youth In Transition Worker (YITW) program at the YMCA.
It was a turning point.
Helping support youth between the ages of 16 – 24, the YITW program helps young people identify, develop and implement a personal plan based on their goals for personal independence. The Y helps navigate the adult service systems and connects youth to relevant support and resources in the community that can help them find a place to stay, find full or part-time work or job training, learn life skills, find emotional support and discover their own community.
Since connecting with the Y in 2020, this young person has been connected to housing, health, recreational, employment, and educational programs—to help them work towards their goals.
They’ve also completed skill building around financial literacy, employment search and career research—to help them prepare for the future.
They continue to pursue recovery and support for their mental health.
And they have reached a number of milestones: landing their first job, finding their first volunteer position, moving out of their family home, doing their taxes on their own, and discovering what they want to do for their career.
With the support and guidance of a YMCA YITW employee, a future that once looked dark and dreary is shining bright for this young person.
#ShineOn #IgnitePotential #TheYSavesLives
On April 11, 2025, Hockey Helps the Homeless is hosting their first-ever tournament in Hamilton/Burlington at the Mohawk 4 Ice Centre. NHL alumni and local amateurs will face-off in support of our Youth in Transition program and The Men's Residence.
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