SoHK Annual Report 2023 Reduced File Size - Flipbook - Page 21
NXTGENWOMXN: THEORY OF CHANGE
2023 ANNUAL REPORT
Findings from a recent study, led by researchers from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the
South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) showed that the COVID-19 pandemic and related
restrictions severely impacted the mental health of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in
South Africa. Half of all mental health problems have their origins before age 14 and 75% by age 24,
making early prevention and promotion essential. In the latest UNICEF South Africa U-Report poll,
65% of young people stated that they had a mental health issue of some form but did not seek help and even if they wanted to seek help, the treatment gap in South Africa is 92%: fewer than 1 in 10
people living with a mental health condition in South Africa receives the care they need.
In 2022, our partner schools were reporting to us that they were experiencing higher levels of selfharm, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and suicide attempts than ever before. There was an
urgent need to develop a shorter, focused intervention for adolescent girls. After consultations and
focus groups with topic experts, the School of Hard Knocks created a 6-part, evidence-based
curriculum - NxtGenWomxn.
NxtGenWomxn is a trauma-informed programme centred on
dialectical behaviour therapy
Trauma-informed programmes, organisations,
and systems realise the widespread impact of
trauma and understand the potential paths for
recovery; recognise the signs and symptoms of
trauma and respond by fully integrating
knowledge about trauma. Trauma-informed
interventions have been shown to effectively
reduce symptoms of PTSD, depression and
anxiety.
IMPROVED
SELF
AWARENESS
THEORY OF CHANGE
DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOURAL
THERAPY (DBT)
& TRAUMA INFORMEDBASED
CURRICULUM SESSIONS
DELIVERED BY
TRAINED FACILITATORS
IMPROVED
SELF
REGULATION
IMPROVED
GOAL
SETTING
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is
an evidence-based form of cognitive
behavioural therapy for children,
teenagers and adults who
experience significant trouble
managing their emotions, thoughts
and behaviours, with proven
effectiveness in numerous RCTs.
