It’s no secret that young people need guidance as they navigate challenges in their life journeys. They need mentorship and additional sources of support from adults in their community. But how does mentorship really help youth?
Here are 5 ways mentorship benefits young people:
1. Young people are more likely to graduate high school and enroll in college if they have mentors.
From a recent study conducted in the BBBSA Economic Impact Report*, Littles who are part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program are 20% more likely to enroll in college after their high school graduation. It shows that the impact of a mentor during the most formative years of a young person’s life has a lasting effect on their future.
Having a mentor improves youths’ behaviors and attitudes towards school. They’ll want to show up more, and they’ll be more active and engaged because they have a guide that’s alongside them. Even though our Bigs are not tutors or college counselors, having a reliable adult to talk through academic opportunities is a pivotal benefit. There’s evidence that shows how being Matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters can make a difference in how the child performs in school and how they feel about school in general.
2. Having a mentor helps youth deal with challenging situations, such as struggles with mental health.
Youth from all walks of life deal with adversity in one way or another. And those who are seeking guidance are often faced with even more difficult obstacles, including struggling with mental health crises. Mentorship can be an essential tool in helping young people deal with challenging situations, whether that be through conversation or simply just being there to support them.
Mentorship is a critical component of supporting youth mental health. The Big Brothers Big Sisters program has helped its Littles with behavioral challenges. 76% of Littles experience fewer symptoms of depression. This includes providing better coping skills, which led to significantly fewer symptoms of depression. Having a mentor is essential in learning to deal with tough situations.
3. Young people with mentors are more likely to avoid risky behaviors and make better decisions overall.
A mentor can be more than a guide, they can be a partner who helps a kid make the right decisions. Risky behaviors, such as justice system contact, bullying, and substance use, can be avoided if a young person has a mentor alongside them.
Kids matched with a mentor in our program improve their avoidance of risky behaviors. 91% of youth enrolled in our program have increased their healthy behaviors and choices. Mentorship serves as a tool for at-risk youth to make better decisions that will affect their futures.
4. Mentorship can help young people enhance their self-esteem and self-confidence.
Not only does having a mentor help with mental health struggles and developing coping skills, it also helps the youth with their self-esteem and self-confidence. Because the mentor and mentee form a relationship, both parties learn positive lessons along the way. Young people learn better behavioral skills, which helps them – in their most formative years – feel more confident about themselves.
As a result of better school performance, a strong relationship with a mentor, and help with mental health struggles, children can feel much more confident moving forward through each new step in their lives. Their self-esteem is higher because they have someone to lean on, and they’re able to regulate their emotions more readily. Having a mentor can make young people feel better about themselves and their situations.
5. Because of their improved academic performance, youth with mentors are able to achieve higher income levels compared to their counterparts.
Mentorship boosts the academic performance of the youth, which leads to increased college enrollment as well. Because of this boost in academic performance, young people with mentors are able to achieve higher income levels compared to their counterparts.
As many Littles in our program come from low-income households, the BBBSA Economic Impact Report* shows that they were more likely to be aligned with the higher income of their Bigs than that of their own families. A mentor instills the confidence in their mentee to push kids toward heights they never believed they could achieve. Our Bigs are access points, opening doors and shedding light on opportunities that previously felt out of reach.
Overall, mentorship provides youth with the guidance and partnership that is necessary when facing adversity. Mentors can help young people build skills that benefit them in the long run. Currently, the next generation of youth needs the crucial boost of mentorship as they face an ever-changing world.
If this article resonated with you, sign up today to help the next generation through life’s Big challenges. If you have or know a child who could benefit from a mentor, inquire to enroll them today. We match children aged 8-18 with caring adults in your community.
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