A well-known Canadian musical group is helping to promote youth mental health.
Walk Off the Earth has collaborated with the YMCA and has written a new version of the 1970’s song.
The new lyrics help support the Y Mind program that is offered in 24 communities across the country.
“We’ve seen how music is so connected to emotions – for us and our fans – so we were honoured to take on the challenge of reinventing such an iconic song and give new meaning
to its enduring lyrics,” says Sarah Blackwood, lead singer of Walk off the Earth. “When we took a look at the original lyrics, it was staggering how a message about the YMCA from 45
years ago is just as relevant and pointed today – but now we’re sharing that message with a focus on mental health tied to Y Mind.”
Y Mind is an innovative early intervention mental health program that helps teens (ages 13- 18) and young adults (ages 18-30) cope with stress and anxiety with the support of health
professionals. The seven-week program is available online or in person, in English and French (under the name YMCA Libère ta tête).
According to the YMCA, over one million Canadian children and youth are impacted by mental health problems.
But less than 20 percent receive appropriate treatment.
The Y Mind program comes at a time when young people’s stress and anxiety levels remain at an all-time high. According to a survey conducted in 2023 by Deloitte, 46 percent of Gen Zs and four in 10 Millennials report feeling stressed or anxious all or most of the time.
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