A $10,000 grant made to the YMCA in Kamloops will go towards a sixth Mental Wellness program.

This program will be called the Mindful Self Compassion program and will help adults who may be struggling with anxiety, depression or self compassion. Wellness Program Manager Jenna Nickle says YMCA Mental Wellness Programs are easily accessible to anyone in the city.

“We’ve really tried with our programs to make them low barrier and easily accessible. So, they’re all free, there are no doctor requirements, no referral requirements, no diagnoses requirements. Really you just have to be an individual who is seeking support, and reach out to us.”

Nickle says Mental Wellness programs are a huge want and need in Kamloops. “Developed this program which helps individuals who are struggling with anxiety or depression to learn how to be kinder to themselves and how to be aware of their emotions and feelings, or whatever they have going on. And then to be kind to themselves as they would a friend or a family member.”

The grant was given by the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund, which promotes mental health awareness.

By: MacKenna Jamieson