After-School Mental Wellness Program

Introduction:

Impact Youth Foundation is making significant strides in promoting mental health awareness and ensuring the wellbeing of children and youth in Ayenya Community. This report highlights key activities and achievements over the past four months on  Impact Youth Foundation's After School Mental Wellness Program for children and youths in Ayenya Village. We are pleased to report positive developments in our ongoing efforts to empower young people in the community,.

Program Overview: The After School Mental Awaress program was implemented to improve the mental health and well-being of children aged 8-25 in Ayenya Village, an underserved community in the shai Osudoku District of Ghana.This project uses a multi-faceted approach, combining sports, academic support and mental health education to adress the unique needs of children and youth in the community.

Current Status: We are delighted to announce that we are currently engaging 80 participants in this program and the activities they engage in include;

• Sports Training: Weekly sports training sessions conducted by experienced coaches. Coaches integrate mental wellness topics into their training, emphasizing teamwork, sportsmanship, discipline, and resilience.
• Homework & Tuition Assistance: Daily after-school sessions providing academic support, including homework assistance, tutoring, and study skills development.
• Mental Health Workshops: Quarterly  workshops was facilitated by a trained psychologist to provide participants information regarding possible indicators of mental health problems and approaches to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and mental well-being. These approaches included cultivating positive relationships, pursuing new knowledge, practicing kindness, and proactively seeking medical care if mental health challenges are suspected.
  address specific mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, stress management, and coping with trauma.
• Individual Counseling: Weekly one-on-one counseling sessions with the psychologist for children facing specific mental health challenges.
• Community Nurse Support: A community nurse has been been assigned to the village to provide basic medical services and refer cases requiring specialized mental health care.
• Parent/Guardian Education: Workshops and information session were conducted for parents for parents/guardians on mental health awareness, communication skills, and strategies for supporting their children's well-being.

Impact and Observations: Participants were educated to keep/maintain a healthy lifestyle and relationship and were taken through steps to maintaining a healthy mental well-being.

Conclusion: 

This After School Mental Wellness Project offers a comprehensive and innovative approach to addressing the mental health needs of children in Ayenya Village. By combining sports, academic support, and mental health education, this project aims to create a positive and supportive environment that fosters healthy development and empowers children to overcome challenges and thrive.