Put your mental wellbeing first on World Mental Health Day
As cases of mental health difficulties among young people continue to rise, it is more important than ever to take time out to prioritise mental wellbeing. YMCA is calling on…
Lewis’ story
“Being on the street is scary, very scary. When I was about 14 years old, I used to suffer with major anxiety because of bullying in school, I could not go…
Rachel’s story
“Before I went to YMCA, I was beyond depressed. Both my parents abused me as a child – psychological, physical, sexual abuse.” Rachel’s story is featured as part of our…
Chelsea’s story
Chelsea was sexually abused by a family member when she was just six years old. This horrific trauma was at the root of her multiple and undiagnosed mental health difficulties;…
Mike’s #IAMWHOLE story
Mental health stigma is rife- I should know, I’ve spent a year working on a mental health campaign, but never spoke out myself. A year ago today, YMCA and the…
Sophia’s Story
Sophia’s mental health difficulties started when she was at primary school. When she lost her mum to cancer aged 13 and became a sole carer for her grandmother, things took…
Gabe’s Story
Gabe first started to experience signs of psychosis when he was five years old. Dealing with hallucinations, he didn’t tell anyone about his difficulties until things reached breaking point when…
Natalie’s Story
Natalie always felt different from a young age, but never knew what made her different. Being diagnosed with Asperger’s, she struggled with anxiety and panic attacks. Now, 21, Natalie volunteers…
Florence’s story
Florence’s eating disorder started out slow, just limiting her food intake a little here and there. But as soon as she started controlling her eating, it became a slippery slope…
People deal with mental health difficulties on a daily basis – Joey Bevan
With close to 80,000 followers on social media, professional fashion stylist, designer and hairstylist Joey Bevan is well known in the fashion industry. Starting his humble beginnings at a YMCA…
Charlie: #IAMWHOLE in my own words
Charlie, 22, south west England Charlie was in his last year at university when the stress of studying for his undergraduate degree became too much for him to handle.…
Connie: #IAMWHOLE in my own words…
Connie, 22, south east England When Connie was 16-years-old, she developed an eating disorder and, feeling unable to ask for help, she struggled with it all on her own for…