Girls Incorporated of New York City
Girls Incorporated of New York Citys
Mind Body Matters Initiative Addresses Gap in Mental Health Support for Middle School Girls
Mind Body Matters (MBM), a transformative mental health initiative at Girls Inc. of New York City (GINYC), was launched after national reports revealed escalating mental health challenges among local teenagers. A 2023 report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that U.S. teen girls were experiencing record levels of sadness, suicide, and sexual violence. Nearly 3 in 5 girls felt persistently sad or hopeless, 1 in 3 considered attempting suicide, and 1 in 5 experienced sexual violence. Among New York City’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) teen girls, the rates were alarming.
A grant from All Points North Foundation will help expand MBM to middle school students and empower New York City teachers through GINYC’s Teacher Training Institute to focus on student well-being, social-emotional learning, and teacher preparedness. GINYC is a local, independent affiliate of Girls Inc., the longest running girls’ leadership organization in the country.
MBM curriculum is offered during and after school with lessons based on real-life experiences in girls’ everyday lives. The Institute helps scale the initiative to meet the demands of an expanding waitlist of schools requesting the program, and helps fill the shortage of mental health professionals. Educators learn how to address mental health issues, which often begin around age 12, and implement culturally responsive teaching. The program also provides monthly check-ins for support.
Impact data reflect that GINYC’s research-based programs, anchored in academics, mental health, and community, prepare “the whole girl” to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers. Short- and long-term outcomes speak volumes to program success with academic gains, reduced absenteeism, and a near perfect four-year high school graduation rate. College completion is equally impressive at 86% graduation rates, more than double the national average for young women of color. With access to long-term mentorship, resources, and life-transforming experiences, NYC’s girls are building resilience, inspired to be “strong, smart, and bold.” They are rising with purpose not only to achieve their ambitions but to uplift their communities.
For more information: www.girlsincnyc.org
Photo credit: Girls Incorporated of New York City
All Points North Foundation provides grants for U.S.-based projects and initiatives that support our priorities: improving public middle school education and teacher training, and implementing effective solar programs and/or projects.
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