According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the mental health of all young people is declining, but girls are faring worse than their male counterparts. A Better Chicago’s 2025 youth research reaffirms this finding, with data showing that girls are more in tune with the impacts of life experiences on their mental health. Early childhood trauma, feelings of loneliness, and bullying are all having major impacts on their mental health.
For girls across the city, particularly those living on the south and west sides of Chicago, there are also disproportionate concerns about their safety, school attendance, and college readiness. Young women are feeling the pressure to succeed but acknowledge the support they feel they need to thrive is not readily available. Still, the data shows that young people remain hopeful. It’s our responsibility to support them. Join us as we examine these topics and more.
Moderator: Melissa Widen, Co-Founder, Chief Legal Officer and Head of Impact Deposits at First Women’s Bank
Presenter: Beth Swanson, CEO, A Better Chicago
Panelists:
Rukiya Curvey Johnson, VP, Community Health Equity, Rush University Medical Center
Brianna Lawrence, U.S. Program Sr. Manager, Girls Opportunity Alliance, The Obama Foundation
Heidy Moran, Principal, Carl Schurz High School
