YMCA Mental Health

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YMCAMental Health WellbeingExercise Program
Adam Waterson Health Fitness Manager Ian Thorpe
Aquatic Centre
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What is it?

• Grant from MLC to provide a mental health and
  wellbeing program that will provide a safety net
  for recovery of people feeling isolated
  unmotivated due to an accumulation of adverse
  life events. (gym setting)

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What is it?

• A partnership that
• Orientates those diagnosed with mental illness
  into an exercise program
• Maximises factors that create the circumstances
  in which all can flourish

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YMCA Objectives

• To reduce mental illness or disorders, by
  promoting
• wellbeing, optimism and social support
• integration into fitness sessions exercise
  classes
• To remove barriers to holistic wellbeing such as
• Lack of knowledge or motivation
• Fear of fitness centres
• Cost

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YMCA Objectives, cont

• To provide a coordinated community service - a
  partnership between organisations sharing
  resources and tools
• To create a pathway to ongoing participation in
  regular exercise

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Program Outline

• Build partnerships for referral, support and call
  back system for drop outs
• Provide mental health first aid training to YMCA
  staff
• Program leaders at each YMCA centre
• Set procedures for implementation, monitoring and
  evaluation
• YMCA 4 visit induction
• Blackdog Mood Chart
• Others??

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Program Outline

• YMCA 4 Visit Induction
• Appt 1 Initial Consultation
• Appt 2 Training Experience
• Appt 3 Training Refresher
• Appt 4 Social Event / Breakfast

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Program Outline

• Access to a 60 day program of fitness and classes
  guided by a fitness trainer
• Monthly social event to meet, network and connect
• After 60 days continue as a fee for service
  member or apply for YMCAs Fee Assistance Program
• Drop outs followed-up and referred to appropriate
  pathways for support and continuum of care

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Discussion

• We invite you to support the program and engage
  with us
• THANK YOU!