Healthy Minds

Healthy Minds

At the YMCA, we want everyone to be strong and healthy in spirit, mind, and body. The new Healthy Minds program is one of the ways we can help you thrive by offering support, mental health education, workshops, opportunities to build meaningful connections with others, and resources to get help when needed.

Have an idea for a mental health topic you’d love to learn more about? Email Mel Kistner, Healthy Minds Program Director, at [email protected]. Mel is also available for 1:1 support if you are feeling overwhelmed, have questions, or would like to talk.

 

Anxiety Reset Workshop- Pabst

YMCA at Pabst Farms
2/9/26 - 2/12/26
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If you feel overwhelmed, stuck or experience anxiety, this workshop is for you. Explore ways to rest your spirit, mind and body and get practical tools and tips you can use to “reset” and calm your nervous system. Based on a best selling book called “The Anxiety Reset” by psychiatrist Gregory Jantz who has a whole person approach to getting freedom from Anxiety. Interactive workshop taught by Mel Kistner, Healthy Minds Program Director.

Choose from 2 identical sessions.


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberCommunity Participant
Member registration 11/10/25 12/9/25 Online / Front Desk $ 0.00-
Community & Member registration 12/10/25 2/12/26 Online / Front Desk $ 0.00$ 0.00

Available Sessions

Date(s)
02/09/26
Mo - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Registration
Closed
Opens on 11/10/25
02/12/26
Th - 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Registration
Closed
Opens on 11/10/25

Anxiety Reset Workshop- Watertown

Watertown Area YMCA
2/6/26 - 2/6/26
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If you feel overwhelmed, stuck or experience anxiety, this workshop is for you. Explore ways to rest your spirit, mind and body and get practical tools and tips you can use to “reset” and calm your nervous system. Based on a best selling book called “The Anxiety Reset” by psychiatrist Gregory Jantz who has a whole person approach to getting freedom from Anxiety. Interactive workshop taught by Mel Kistner, Healthy Minds Program Director


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberCommunity Participant
Member registration 11/10/25 12/9/25 Online / Front Desk $ 0.00-
Community participant & Member 12/10/25 2/6/26 Online / Front Desk $ 0.00$ 0.00

Available Sessions

Date(s)
02/06/26
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Registration
Closed
Opens on 11/10/25

Creative Connections Collage Workshop- Watertown

Watertown Area YMCA
3/10/26 - 3/10/26
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Connect with others as you relax and create. We will be using painted papers, magazines, words and other images to create an expressive collage. Come experiment with paper collage! No art experience needed. All art materials provided.


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberCommunity Participant
11/10/25 12/9/25 Online / Front Desk $ 10.00-
12/10/25 3/9/26 Online / Front Desk $ 10.00$ 15.00

Available Sessions

Date(s)
03/10/26
Th - 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Registration
Closed
Opens on 11/10/25

Expressive Arts Workshops- Pabst Farms

YMCA at Pabst Farms
11/20/25 - 11/20/25
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Use your creativity to express emotions and relax! Come express yourself in these fun workshops! Our Healthy Minds Director, Mel Kistner is a former art therapist and an artist. She will lead you through some creative exercises to express emotions, foster self-expression and develop resilience. Each workshop will have a different theme and materials focus. This fall we will be doing collage, mixed media and painting. Create your own unique piece to bring home. Art supplies included but feel free to bring your own as well. No art experience required. Just a desire for creative exploration and connection!

You can register for just one or all 3 of the fall workshops.

September 18: Collage- We will be using painted papers, magazines, words and other images to create an expressive collage. Come experiment with paper collage!

October 16: Mixed Media- We will be using a variety of materials including paint, pencils, oil pastels, images, paper, found objects and more to create expressive mixed media art.

November 20th: Painting- We will be learning and experimenting with acrylic painting techniques and art therapy exercises to express feelings, calm and create art.


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberCommunity Participant
8/13/25 11/20/25 Online / Front Desk $ 10.00$ 15.00

Available Sessions

Date(s)
11/20/25
Expressive Arts: Painting - Th - 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Register  
Closes
11/20/2025

New Year, New Thoughts Mindset Workshop- Watertown

Watertown Area YMCA
1/9/26 - 1/9/26
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Start your year with clarity, confidence, and a fresh perspective! In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn practical tools to reset your mindset, release limiting beliefs, and create empowering thoughts that align with your goals for the year ahead. Learn ways to identify automatic thoughts that get you stuck and retrain your brain. Step into the new year with intention and a renewed sense of hope. Lead by our Healthy Minds Director Mel Kistner, an experienced counselor and life coach.


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberCommunity Participant
Member registration 11/10/25 12/9/25 Online / Front Desk $ 0.00-
Community participant and Member 12/10/25 1/9/26 Online / Front Desk $ 0.00$ 0.00

Available Sessions

Date(s)
01/09/26
Fr - 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Registration
Closed
Opens on 11/10/25