After a tumultuous year, rates of anxiety and depression have skyrocketed. According to a study by MHA (Mental Health America), the challenges associated with the pandemic and other major events from 2020 have been especially difficult for youth aged 11-17 .

Volunteering is one way to boost a person’s mental health because it allows the volunteer to channel energy toward the needs of others. Mental Health Mondays is a 6-week series beginning January 25th and that will meet weekly until March 1st. The first 4 weeks, we will meet virtually; the last 2 will be in-person meetings (tentative) at a location to be determined based on the weather and COVID restrictions. Over the next six weeks, we will dive into what mental health is, common misconceptions, prevention, and how to help ourselves and others.

Because YVCHR is a service organization, youth will embark on a very important mental health service project during this series that will impact some of the most stressed and taxed individuals in this pandemic: frontline workers. Youth will be taking the lead in executing a Relief Goody Bag drive— from advertising, to collecting and assembling—for the people that see and feel the gravity of this pandemic every day.

We want this service project to be a huge success, so we kindly ask that youth commit to as many sessions as possible because each session will build on the one before it. Please note that when a sign-up is submitted, youth will be placed on the roster for all 6 weeks.

Series Outline:

Week 1: What is Mental Health? (January 25th)

In this session we will talk about what mental health is and how youth are doing. We will also begin designing social media campaigns and/or creating letters to spread the word about the Relief Goody Bag drive.

Week 2: Mental Health Myth VS Fact (February 1st)

In this session we will go over common myths surrounding mental health and the actual truth. We will also brainstorm how and where to look for donations.

Week 3: Prevalence and Prevention (February 8th)

This session will focus on learning about the prevalence of a few common mental health issues as well as prevention and early intervention for mental health. Our Relief Goody Bag drive will begin this week.

Week 4: How to Help (February 15th)

This session will introduce youth to Mental Health First Aid, a training and research program founded in Australia, and learn the MHFA action plan ALGEE. The Relief Goody Bag drive will continue through this week.

Week 5: Volunteering and Mental Health (February 22nd)

During this session, we will discuss the positive impact that volunteering has on mental health, as well as begin sorting and assembling donations from the drive. This session will be in-person if conditions allow. Location TBD.

Week 6: Mascot for Mental Health (March 1st)

This final week, we will review what we have learned and create a mascot to represent the issue in addition to completing the Relief Goody Bags and getting them ready for delivery. This session will be in-person if conditions allow. Location TBD.