Healthy Minds Canada is a leader in engaging youth in conversations about mental health. From 2011 to 2014, Healthy Minds hosted the Youth Summit, an anti-stigma event aimed at dispelling myths surrounding mental illness. As mental health discussions became more visible across the country, the national non-profit launched ACT, a full-day event designed to empower youth to own their emotions. But, Healthy Minds Canada still wanted to do more to promote wellness in kids that encompassed mind, body and spirit.
Bend & Unwind Yoga, a partnership between Healthy Minds Canada and RootsnShoots Youth Family Yoga, offers teens 13 to 17 years old yoga sessions in Peterborough and the surrounding communities. Starting in 2017, twelve half-hour long yoga sessions were offered in four schools and one detention centre to gauge the benefits a regular focus on mindfulness had for youth who participated.
“We’re starting to get some qualitative feedback that shows that teachers really have seen a noticeable difference in their classroom when kids are doing yoga. [Kids] seem to be more patient with each other; their attention spans are longer,” says Katie Robinette, executive director of Healthy Minds Canada. “With parents too: bedtimes [ability to fall asleep quickly], fighting with siblings—that’s improved, and [they have noticed] an appreciation for a better balanced meal.”
Bend & Unwind Yoga launched with the help of funding through RBC Royal Bank, and was able to continue in Peterborough through the funding received from the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th grant. “The grant put us on the map. Healthy Minds is really the brain—we’re mental health… What we’ve been able to do thanks to this funding is build out the healthy minds and healthy bodies approach,” explains Robinette. “[It allows us to] come to a different table and work with other partners who incorporate these [approaches.]”
To support mental wellness in kids through yoga, and to help Healthy Minds Canada expand the project to reach more youth, donate to the non-profit today.