As part of Northwestern Settlement's After School Program, girls from Rowe Middle School participate in "Fight Like a Girl," a program that helps girls develop a positive relationship to their bodies and minds through the sport of boxing. Programs like this are increasingly vital amid a youth mental health crisis that has grown more severe in recent years, especially for young women. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 out of 5 teenage girls in the U.S report persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Through programming that encourages the development of discipline, confidence, and the mind-body connection, girls can develop better mental health through a stronger sense of self. The program also includes social and emotional learning workshops where participants can learn positive mental health strategies to implement in their daily lives.
Below, Rowe students participate in a SEL workshop, part of the Fight Like a Girl curriculum.
