Features / Empire Fighting Chance
Young people facing increasing mental health pressures, warns boxing charity
The team at Empire Fighting Chance have seen first-hand the toll increasing pressures are placing on the mental health of young people.
The pandemic has already had a “devastating impact” on thousands of children’s lives and the boxing charity warns this is on top of issues many are facing, such as family breakdowns, domestic and substance abuse and chaotic home lives.
Empire works with thousands of children from marginalised backgrounds, many of whom are vulnerable or have issues such as anxiety, depression, anger or low self-esteem, and uses sport to provide mentoring, support, therapy careers guidance and more.
is needed now More than ever
Bosses of the Easton-based charity say it is time to make the mental health of young people a top priority and has partnered with England Boxing to provide more boxing therapy sessions.
Martin Bisp, CEO at Empire Fighting Chance, explains: “According to NHS data, referral rates to child mental health services are now at record highs and evidence suggests that those at greatest risk of poor mental health during the pandemic were children with previous mental health or learning difficulties and those at socio-economic disadvantage.
“It’s something we have certainly seen here at Empire Fighting Chance. Children have been faced with many issues, which have only been exacerbated by the pandemic – things like family breakdown, crime, substance abuse, domestic abuse, anxiety, self-harm and depression. These will only increase the pressure on young people post-pandemic.”
Martin adds: “At Empire Fighting Chance, we have taken therapy out of clinic walls and deliver sessions using boxing therapists. Through boxing, a sport that commands focus, orientation, grit, self-awareness, boundaries and agility, we are introducing these attributes to the young people we work with. As they start to learn more about the sport, they naturally begin to mirror its discipline in their daily behaviour and relationships.”
The charity already runs sessions for more than 4,000 people a year and thanks to the partnership with England Boxing, affiliated clubs can take advantage of free training and support on how to harness the power of boxing to help even more young people overcome behavioural issues and mental health problems.
Main photo: Empire Fighting Chance
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