When we think about health and wellness, especially when it comes to our kids, physical health is what comes to mind. But mental health is every bit as important.

Here’s a question for you: While you may know now that taking care of your mental health is important, did you know that as a kid or when you were a teen? 

The answer is probably no. That’s certainly the case today with students in the Chattanooga area — and that’s a mindset that a new Cempa program seeks to change.

In recognition of both National Fitness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month this May, we’re taking a few minutes to shine a light on Cemple Expressions.

How Cemple Expressions Came to Be
Last year, before the COVID-19 pandemic began, Cempa Community Care received funding from the Tennessee Department of Health for the Community-Based and Faith-Based Organization Health Disparities Initiative. This funding was originally intended to be used for a program called the Healthy Church Challenge, where Cempa employees and volunteers would go into area churches to spread the word about improving health.

But as the pandemic unfolded, churches were either closed or offering limited in-person interactions. While the original plans couldn’t happen, Cempa re-strategized and launched a new program that would address health disparities of our minority youth.   

Enter Cemple Expressions, a brainchild of LaDarius Price, Community Outreach Manager for Cempa.

“During the pandemic, I saw so many teenagers and young people having issues related to depression and suicide,” Price says. “All of those numbers went up across the board. We wanted to put a program together to serve this demographic, one that spoke directly to the needs of this community.”

How Cemple Expressions Makes an Impact

Supported by funding from the Tennessee Department of Health, Cemple Expressions is providing a revolutionary approach to mental health for the teens of Chattanooga. There are two primary aspects of the program: Participants have access to both mental health therapists and yoga instructors.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the program? Meeting the kids where they are and providing them with meaningful representation.

“Our program has therapists who look like the people they’re working with, as well as yoga instructors who look like them,” Price says. “A lot of young people feel like they don’t have a voice, they don’t have an outlet. This is giving them that outlet.”

Participants in the program, which is facilitated through existing partnerships with local schools, can speak with therapists in multiple ways. Therapy typically begins in small groups, but can progress to one-on-one sessions and family sessions, as needed.

Where does yoga fit into the equation? While it’s an excellent outlet for physical health, it’s also tied with improved mental health and well-being.

“Yoga has been shown to help with anxiety and depression,” Price says. “By including yoga in our program, we’re not only giving kids an outlet to talk through the things they’re dealing with, but we’re also giving them a simple way to express themselves.”

A Bigger Role to Play Within the Community
Through Cemple Expressions, Cempa is seeking to make an impact — not only on the children themselves, but on the community as a whole.

“There’s a saying that ‘You don’t do better because you don’t know better,’” Price says. “This is an opportunity to educate our young people, even if their parents don’t fully understand how important mental health is. The kids who have gone through this program in year one can help others understand that they don’t have to go through the challenges of life alone.”

Ultimately, the goal is for that message to spread throughout the greater Chattanooga area and beyond.

“This year’s program was for educational purposes,” Price says. “We wanted to plant a seed in our community that it’s OK not to be OK, but at the same time, you need to get help. I’m thankful that Cempa was able to be that connection in helping bring this type of program into our community.”

Cemple Expressions feels a natural fit within Cempa’s overall mission.

“We often talk about physical health — that’s always a focus,” Price says. “But we have to teach others that mental health plays a huge role in our physical health. This ties right into our mission as we strive to build healthier communities.”  

Cempa Community Care is committed to improving health and inspiring change. Visit our website to stay in the know about our latest programs and offerings.