Promoting Mental Health & Wellness
Posted 05/17/2024
By Becca Wilson
At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint (BGCGF), we are committed to the mental health & well-being of our Club members. One of the pivotal figures in this effort is Mrs. Haley, our dedicated Licensed Professional Counselor and mental health specialist. Mrs. Haley is placed at our Averill Club location through a partnership with Mott Children’s Health Center.
In this interview, Mrs. Haley shares insights into her role, her passion for youth mental health, and valuable advice for both parents and children.
Q. Can you tell us about your role as a mental health specialist at the Club? A. All Club members have access to free mental health services. I offer weekly mental health promotion sessions for all ages. Some of the topics we work on include identifying emotions, building coping strategies, and improving relationships. I also offer individual therapy services with parental/guardian consent, and I specialize in working with kids who have experienced trauma.
In addition to serving the kids at the Club, I also serve parents and caregivers through our Family Mental Health Program which is a program that I am super passionate about. Another fun part of my job is getting to train, educate, and collaborate with our Club staff on trauma and mental health.
Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in mental health, particularly in a youth-focused setting like BGCGF?
A. I always knew I wanted to work in the helping profession. I wanted to be a teacher all throughout my childhood. Eventually, my educational path took me to pursuing a master’s degree in counseling. Prior to finding BGCGF, I served children and families as an outpatient therapist. Being at BGCGF is my dream job because I get to teach, counsel, and be a part of so many wonderful kids and families’ lives daily.
Q. How do you integrate mental health awareness and support into your programs and activities while still keeping them fun and engaging for Club youth?
A. I try to learn about our Club members’ interests and what is important to them. We do a variety of activities in my space including group discussions, watching mental health related videos on YouTube, art, and yoga. I am also able to give the kids snacks and prizes for participation.
Q. What advice do you have for young people who may be struggling with their mental health but are hesitant to seek help?
A. Meeting anyone new, especially a therapist, can be scary and vulnerable. We all have thoughts and feelings because we are all human! I think anyone can benefit from having someone to talk to who is outside of their circle. Most parents and guardians are happy to take their kids to counseling because they want what is best for them. If you’re nervous to ask, you could always write your parent or caregiver a note or ask another adult to help you ask your guardian.
Q. How do you collaborate with other staff members and community resources to provide comprehensive support for our members?
A. I try to develop individual relationships with the staff so that they can feel comfortable coming to me for support. Some of the staff members join me in my programming and I have been trying to spend some of my free time in their spaces as well. Also, being part of Mott Children’s Health Center gives me a huge network of other professionals which helps me to continue growing and developing as a professional. I have the philosophy that it takes a village to raise a child and collaboration is key.
Q. Can you share a success story or memorable moment from your time working with the Club that highlights the impact of mental health support on our youth?
A. I really enjoyed our Health and Wellness fairs that we hosted last spring at both sites. It was gratifying to be able to offer so many tools and resources to our families. It was also fun to interact with all the adults in our Club family.
Q. How can parents and caregivers support the mental well-being of their children outside of Club programs?
A. By connecting with your children which comes down to listening and validating your children’s feelings. Try to spend a few minutes of quality time with your child every day. Some things to try could include establishing an emotional check-in, starting a fun ritual or routine, going for a short walk, or having a conversation in the car.
Q. What are some self-care practices or coping strategies that you recommend for maintaining good mental health?
A. There are so many! Exercise is my favorite. You don’t have to go to a gym or do a bunch of push-ups and sit-ups. Some ideas to get your body moving are riding your bike, playing a sport, jumping on a trampoline, gentle stretching, or dancing. Some of my other favorites are talking to someone you trust, coloring, spending time with a pet, and listening to music. Self-care looks different for everyone and there’s no right way to do it. Whatever works for you as long as it’s safe. 😊
Q. How can our community best support Mental Health Awareness Month and continue the conversation beyond May?
A. I think our community is doing a great job at normalizing mental health issues and seeking treatment. My idea of a healthy community starts with taking care of ourselves and managing our own stress. When we recognize that we are all doing the best we can with what we have, we can have empathy, compassion, and kindness toward ourselves. That will have a positive impact on others.
We hope you enjoyed this interview with Mrs. Haley and gained valuable insights into the importance of mental health support for our youth. At BGCGF, we strive to create a nurturing environment where every child feels heard, supported, and empowered. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier community.
For more information on our mental health programs, please contact us directly at (810) 249-3413.