• Is the program really free?
Yes! The program is free for participants thanks to our generous funders. 

• Do I need a YMCA membership to participate in Y Mind?
No! You don’t need to be a member to join Y Mind. Anyone from the ages 13 to 18 can apply to join Y Mind.

• How will Y Mind help me?
Y Mind is a mental wellness group-based program for people experiencing mild-to-moderate anxiety, stress, and worry. Perhaps this is your first-time seeking help or anxiety is something which is starting to impact your life. This could be the program for you. Participants of the program learn about stress, worry, anxiety, and ways to cope using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness.   
Over 4000 people have attended Y Mind across Canada, and through evaluating the outcomes of the program, we have found that those who come to Y Mind experience a decrease in anxiety and an increase in their well-being.  

•  Is Y Mind a counselling/therapy group?
Y Mind is not a therapy group. It is a space to learn tools and strategies to cope with anxiety and live the life you want to live alongside other people. 

•  What will I be doing in this program and what can I expect?
Each week for seven weeks, you will attend a group session for 1.5 hours which will have approximately 10 to 12 participants and two program facilitators. You will receive a workbook to help you keep track of your learning, as well as a copy of the book The Happiness Trap which gives more information on how to use tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. In addition to learning ACT, you’ll also try the techniques out in the sessions, take part in fun group activities, practice mindfulness, and connect with others in the group.  

•  What are the eligibility requirements to participate in Y Mind?
Individuals who are between the ages of 13 and 18 experiencing stress, worry, and mild-to-moderate anxiety, and residing in Nova Scotia are eligible to participate in the Y Mind Teen program. You do not need a diagnosis or doctor’s referral to be able to participate. Teens who wish to participate do not require parental consent.  

• Do I need a diagnosis or Dr’s referral to participate in the program?
No, you do not need a diagnosis or doctor’s referral to participate in Y Mind. Participants who are experiencing stress, worry, or mild-to-moderate anxiety can self-refer. Teens ages 13 to 18 do not require parental consent to participate.  

• Where is Y Mind offered in Halifax?
Y Mind is offered at several schools within HRM. There are times when Y Mind is offered within our YMCA facilities at the John W Lindsay YMCA and the Community YMCA.

•  What are the Y Mind Facilitators like?
All Y Mind facilitators have a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in psychology or social work and are experienced in youth mental health, as well as in facilitating groups. Our facilitators are understanding, caring, and supportive. Many have their own experiences of navigating anxiety, so they understand that attending a group like Y Mind is often a big and brave step. Our facilitators are there to explain the Y Mind concepts, facilitate connections with your peers, and support you throughout the program. 

• What is acceptance and commitment therapy?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a powerful mindfulness-based therapy which currently leads the field in terms of research, application, and results.  ACT gets its name from one of its core messages: to accept what is out of your personal control, while committing to action that will improve your quality of life.  
The aim of ACT is to help people create a rich, full, and meaningful life while effectively handling the pain and stress that life inevitably brings. ACT (pronounced as the word “act” and not as the initials) does this by: 
1. Teaching you skills to deal with anxious thoughts and feelings effectively — in such a way that they have much less impact and influence over you. (These are known as mindfulness skills.) 
2. Helping you to clarify what is truly important and meaningful to you (i.e., your values), and then use that knowledge to guide, inspire, and motivate you to change your life for the better.