Embracing mental wellness for a healthier, happier community: Marlon Johnson

In today's fast-paced world, mental wellness has become a cornerstone of a healthy life. Yet it remains one of the most overlooked aspects of our well-being.

As communities across the nation grapple with increasing rates of anxiety, depression, loneliness and addiction, the need for accessible mental wellness services has never been more urgent.

The YMCA of Greater Cleveland has launched mental wellness services at our Hillcrest Family YMCA (Lyndhurst) and Warrensville Heights YMCA branches, underscoring our commitment to fostering a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Mental wellness - encompassing our emotional, psychological and social well-being - affects how we think, feel and act.

It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices.

In recent years, challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainty and social isolation have exacerbated mental health issues, pushing them to the forefront of public health concerns.

However, the stigma surrounding mental health often prevents people from seeking the help they need.

At the YMCA, we understand that achieving mental wellness is just as important as maintaining physical health. Our mission has always been to build strong individuals and communities.

While we have long been recognized for our fitness programs and community services, we are now expanding our focus to include mental wellness, reflecting the growing need for holistic health solutions.

The YMCA's new mental wellness initiative seeks to change this narrative. By transforming our branches into hubs of mental wellness, we are offering a range of services designed to meet the unique needs of our communities.

These services include professional counseling, support groups, educational workshops and community-building activities that promote social connectedness.

Importantly, these offerings are integrated into the familiar, trusted environment of the YMCA, where people already come to improve their physical health.

Why is this integration important? Because mental wellness and physical health are inextricably linked.

Studies have shown that regular physical activity can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve mood and enhance overall mental well-being.

At the YMCA, we see this connection every day. Our members come for the exercise, but they stay for the community, the sense of belonging and the support they receive from both staff and fellow members.

This trust makes the YMCA an ideal setting for mental wellness services.

Moreover, our focus on prevention is critical. Too often, mental health services are sought only when issues have reached a crisis point.

By offering educational workshops on topics like grief, loss, addiction and teen mental health, we aim to equip individuals and families with the knowledge and tools they need to address mental wellness challenges before they become acute.

This upstream approach aligns with our broader mission of strengthening the community, one individual at a time.

But offering these services is only part of the solution. It is equally important to encourage people to seek help when they need it.

We must break down the stigma surrounding mental health and promote the idea that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Just as we would visit a doctor for a physical ailment, we should feel comfortable accessing mental wellness services when our minds and spirits need care.

We invite everyone in the Lyndhurst and Warrensville Heights areas to take advantage of these offerings, to join us in building a healthier, happier community.

Because when we prioritize mental wellness, we all benefit.