The YMCA community and its impacts on children’s mental health and wellbeing
By Michelle Clapham RN, MSN, APRN (ret.)
Activities which improve mental health in children are essential in helping children function well at home, in school, in friendships and in society2. After-school activities (also called extracurricular activities) are found to enhance a child’s mental health by offering connections to other children and the local community. Extracurricular activities also help children develop feelings of acceptance and belonging1.
What are extracurricular activities?
Extracurricular activities are activities done outside of a structured classroom environment. Extracurricular activities may include sports, community service, clubs, and hobbies.
After-school activities help build a sense of connection among children2,3. Studies have shown children who experience a sense of connection to others and the world around them develop feelings of fitting in2. These feelings of belonging, acceptance and connection may assist in reducing a child’s feelings of loneliness and isolation2. Children, who are given the opportunity to connect to encouraging relationships with other children and mentoring adults, may also experience a decrease in feelings of depression and anxiety2.
The YMCA Community
The supportive structure of the Akron YMCA’s extracurricular activities offers a sense of community for children and their families. The Akron YMCA provides multiple opportunities for children in be involved in extracurricular activities including:
- After School programs After-School Programs | YMCA Akron (akronymca.org)
- Youth Sports programs Youth Sports | YMCA Akron (akronymca.org)
- Youth Specialty classes Youth Specialty Classes | YMCA Akron (akronymca.org)
- Swimming Lessons Swim Lessons | YMCA Akron (akronymca.org)
- Out of School Time program THRIVE: Out of School Time | YMCA Akron (akronymca.org)
- Childcare programs Childcare | YMCA Akron (akronymca.org)
- Safety Around Water program Safety Around Water | YMCA Akron (akronymca.org)
- Summer Camps Akron Camps | Akron Area YMCA Camps (gotcamp.org)
- Camp Y-Noah Akron Camps | Akron Area YMCA Camps (gotcamp.org)
- Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs Akron Camps | Akron Area YMCA Camps (gotcamp.org)
Please contact the Akron YMCA (akronymca.org) for more information and to register for any of the above-listed programming. Here at the Akron YMCA, we are committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.