In Ohio, nearly 1 in 8 children received a diagnosis of anxiety, depression, or both in 2020, up 42% – the 10th highest increase nationwide. Additionally, five Ohioans die by suicide every day, and one youth dies every thirty four hours. We know that mental health challenges among adolescents have been heightened from the pandemic and while COVID-19 is beginning to be looked at as something of the past, Ohio continues to see children battling with their overall well-being.
At the Boys and Girls Clubs, we are uniquely positioned to support kids and teens’ emotional and physical health by providing caring and positive adult influences, safe and inclusive places, and skill-building programs. Nearly all Boys & Girls Club youth (90%) in 2022 reported that they can talk to an adult at the Club if they have a problem, adults at the Club take time to talk to them (91%), and adults listen and understand what they have to say (91%).
In order to create this caring and positive environment for youth, the Boys and Girls Club of Massillon strengthened and expanded services that specifically support mental health and social-emotional development by creating their own Mental & Behavioral Health Program. Each staff member at BGC Massillon completes trainings that deal directly with trauma informed care, suicide prevention, and mental health first aid. Through partnerships, they have Qualified Mental Health Specialists now available to members everyday. They saw a need for these crucial additions to their club and responded in a way that best serves young children.
The program includes a Sensory room that is available for all members when they are having trouble navigating regular programming. The sensory room gives members a place to step away from their peers in order to self regulate and problem solve. Members who use this resource have access to fidgets, art supplies, flexible seating, and different lighting. These tools allow members to shift their focus and understand their feelings while responding to them rationally.
Given the success of the sensory room, Massillon was able to reach more members in areas of need through the creation of a sensory walk. The walk is located in hallways and consists of a wall sit, hopscotch, push-up, jumping jacks, a large shape to trace on the wall, a variety of textured boards and a guided breathing prompt. It has given members a concrete way to self-regulate during transition times and quickly became the most requested way for members to take a break from programming, decompress, identify their emotions, and practice coping strategies for managing emotions.
In addition, the Mental & Behavioral Health Program ran the curriculum SMART Moves: Emotional Wellness. This group, consisting of members who were identified as needing more focused behavioral, emotional and social support, are given art projects, hands-on activities, and games, which provide social-emotional skills while also creating fun experiences with their peers. The Club also has a certified yoga instructor from a local studio leading yoga sessions,with a focus on mindfulness and coping strategies.
As Ohio works on improving the lives of children, the B&GC of Massillon continues to support youth mental wellbeing with a strengths-based service delivery approach that is grounded in an understanding of the impact of trauma, that emphasizes physical, mental, and emotional safety for youth, families, and staff.
