"Mental health has been an issue in our communities for a long, long time. If you look at any youth health survey results from communities around Snohomish County, depression, anxiety, kids vaping, drug use, all of that has been on the rise even before COVID." -Patsy Cudaback

Children are our future. They will be responsible for building and leading our communities and helping us, as humans, progress to achieve a more just and caring world. It’s a fact that children are largely molded by their environment, and with the advent of COVID, children everywhere are facing the consequences of shelter-in-place orders. Suddenly, the things that are vital to a child’s development, such as school, community activities, and even friendships, are put on hold.

The YMCA, a not-for-profit that has been around for more than 120 years, is ready to meet the challenge to support and care for children in our communities. This week, host Bruce Bracken speaks to Patsy Cudaback, Senior Vice President for the YMCA of Snohomish County, who is fearlessly answering the call to provide mental health support to our youth. By hiring mental health counselors and incorporating them into the day camps at the YMCA, Patsy provides children with a listening ear and skills for coping with the changes around them.

Resources

Patsy Cudaback - LinkedIn

Snohomish County YMCA - https://ymca-snoco.org/

YMCA and BGCSC Summer Camp Partnership - KOMO news

Bruce Bracken - LinkedIn

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