YMCA history and organizational structure

YMCA represents one of the largest community service agencies in the world. It currently services nearly 45 million members through providing programs that promote a healthy mind, body, and spirit. YMCA membership is open to anyone, regardless of faith, socioeconomic status, age, or gender. Its membership comprises a highly diverse international membership that promotes goodwill and fellowship to everyone through its programs. The following will explore the services that they provide their mission and their connection to current theory and practice in clinical psychology.

The official mission of the YMCA is, "To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all" (YMCA, 2010). The mission statement does not express the actual method for achieving its goal, but through its actions and programs, the embodiment of the YMCA's mission is apparent. The YMCA states that it embraces Christian principles, but it considers its ability to embrace other cultures and ideals as a key contribution to its community.

The YMCA is primarily a service organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone in the community. They carry out the larger mission of the organization through action on the local level. YMCA's are located throughout the globe. Local YMCAs serve the greater good through the programs that they offer to the local community. Their structure allows them to adjust their programs to meet the needs of the individual communities that they serve. The YMCA offers programs for persons in every age group from childhood through senior citizens. They offer services that cater to different cultures and languages. In doing so, they serve the greater good.

The YMCA carries out its mission through a number of programs that it offers to the local community. These programs focus on empowering people to improve their body, mind and spirit. One of their current campaigns is called "Activate America," which focuses on getting Americans to move and improve their health. They are committed to building healthier and stronger communities by providing nutrition counseling and programs, combined with programs designed to get people to take small steps to add exercise into their daily routine (YMCA, 2010). This program focuses on problems associated with obesity and a problematic sedimentary lifestyle that has become the normal way of life, in America.

Psychological Benefits of the YMCA

The benefits of regular exercise affect many areas of a person's life. Numerous studies have demonstrated that regular exercise has many benefits. Regular exercise is a simple solution to many physical and mental health conditions that plague persons of many ages. People who exercise regularly have more energy, have an improved mood, improved sex life, enjoy better sleep, and may live longer than those who do not exercise (Mayo Clinic, 2010). These benefits are accepted as fact by the medical community. Programs at the YMCA fulfill their mission by promoting the benefits of exercise in the communities that they serve.

Exercise reduces or eliminates many chronic illnesses such as heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and certain types of cancer (Mayo Clinic, 2010). Chronic fatigue is a common problem that is associated with many medical conditions. Its symptoms can range from mild to debilitating. In many cases, no underlying disease state or condition can be found as a contributing factor. For many that complain of chronic fatigue, researchers at the University of Georgia have found that regular, low intensity periods of exercise decreases fatigue symptoms by 20% and increase the energy levels of patients by as much as 65% (Fahmy, 2008). Studies such as this demonstrate the importance of exercise in improving the lives of many people. The YMCA aids in this effort by providing patrons and guests a place to work out, the use of equipment, training, education, and many other resources to help them feel better.

Depression, anxiety and its related forms are relieved, or eliminated completely simply by engaging in regular exercise. Nearly 90% of patients with a depressive disorder recovered completely by taking part in a jogging program (Nabkasorn, Miyai, & Sootmongkol et al., 2006). This effect has a neurobiological reason behind it. Regular exercise decreases certain stress hormones in the body and increases the body's peak oxygen intake, both of which have the effect of relieving depression and increasing energy levels. Exercise alone has a physical effect on the emotional state of persons suffering from a number of psychological and emotional conditions. This study is only one of many that demonstrates that exercise can be as beneficial to many patients as medications (Nabkasorn, Miyai, & Sootmongkol et al., 2006).

Exercise improves the efficacy of many compounds, such as Modafinil, which is used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Exercise improved the response of Modafinil on bipolar depression in a number of studies (Belmaker, 2007). This is not to say that exercise is a substitute for medication, but even low intensity exercise was found to relieve or cure many psychological conditions in many cases by altering the stress hormone receptors (Wiles, Haas, & Gahhacher, et al., 2007). The benefits of even small amounts of exercise are well documented in many respected clinical journals. Exercise helps to alleviate many mental and physical conditions. By promoting exercise, the YMCA is making an impact on improving the mental, physical, and spiritual health of persons all over the world.

The impact of the YMCA on improving the mental and physical health of many peoples of the world is based on years of clinical evidence. However, this evidence was not available when the YMCA first began in mid-century France. People only knew that when they exercised, they felt better and that many physical ailments seemed to disappear. Now we have overwhelming clinical evidence that supports these claims. The evidence found supports the connection between the mission of the YMCA and its ability to make its mission a reality. The YMCA achieves its mission by offering people the tools that they need to see real positive changes in their lives.