YMCA of Greater Tulsa and GRAND Mental Health partner to provide mental health support for Tulsa area kids, families and YMCA employees
The YMCA of Greater Tulsa and GRAND Mental Health are partnering this summer to provide increased access to mental health support services for Tulsa area kids and families. After a successful YMCA Summer Camp program launch in 2024. The YMCA of Greater Tulsa and GRAND Mental Health are again joining forces to support 2025 summer camp attendees and their families.
Beginning May 27th and continuing through August 15th, A GRAND therapist and behavioral health coach will be on hand at each of four YMCA summer camps – Daily (Bixby), Owasso, Herman & Kate Kaiser and, new this year, Tandy YMCAs. The GRAND specialists will be available to kids, family members, and YMCA camp staff needing support services and/or experiencing mental health crises. For more information on YMCA Summer Camp and to enroll kids today, visit YMCATulsa.org/summercamp
“We saw, first-hand, the value in providing behavioral health support services to our camp kids and their families,” said Ricki Wimmer, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Tulsa. “The decision to continue and expand these services, again partnering with the GRAND team was an easy one to make.”
In addition, the two agencies are extending their agreement to provide access to free mental health support services for all YMCA employees and their families via the YMCA of Greater Tulsa’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP.)
Some of the employee services will include:
• Up to five (5) short-term, solution-focused therapy sessions per calendar year with a licensed GRAND behavioral health specialist.
• 24/7 emotional support and crisis response access to a local GRAND specialist through a dedicated crisis line.
• Connection to additional care and/or referral assistance for long-term or specialized care as needed.
• Connection to care for YMCA staff’s family members in need.
“We are honored to continue our great collaboration with the YMCA of Greater Tulsa in the vital community work they do,” said Josh Cantwell, GRAND CEO. “We also applaud YMCA leadership for committing to the mental wellness of their team members. The YMCA plays an essential role in building better communities and this focus on team wellbeing is good for all of us.”
The YMCA of Greater Tulsa and GRAND Mental Health entered into a partnership agreement in early 2024 to provide increased access to mental health support services for Tulsans. This access includes virtual behavioral health crisis services, on-site behavioral health support at YMCA summer camps, and free walk-in mental health screenings at select YMCA locations. This new mental health EAP services program is the latest extension of that partnership agreement.