A pioneering blend of cognitive behavioral therapy and intensive mentorship is showing notable reductions in youth violence and arrests in Chicago. The approach, named Choose to Change, highlights how targeted therapy paired with trusted adult mentors can reach teens who drift away from traditional supports. The model offers practical lessons for Thai educators, mental health professionals, and policymakers facing rising concerns about youth well-being.
In Chicago, many youths face daily risks from overdose, gun violence, and trauma. These experiences can contribute to mental health struggles and cycles of violence. The program combines weekly group CBT with hands-on mentorship, pairing teens with trained advocates who understand local communities. Over 16 weeks, participants engage in therapy aimed at reframing thoughts and improving problem-solving while mentors help them apply these skills beyond the clinic—from meals and sports to job applications and essential life skills. Mentors work as bridges between therapy concepts and daily life, earning trust through culturally informed, consistent support.
For Thai readers, the core value is the method’s scientific backing. Decades of research affirm CBT as an effective approach to reducing harmful behaviors. Recent trials outside the criminal justice system indicate that Chicago’s model not only lowers arrests—by about a third overall and nearly 40% for violent offenses—but also yields lasting effects years after participation. Data from the University of Chicago Crime Lab underscores the strength of this evidence for violence prevention among high-risk youth before legal trouble arises.
Choose to Change succeeds by reaching students who are traditionally hardest to engage—those with high truancy, prior arrests, and skepticism toward formal interventions. Advocates, drawn from local communities, build rapport and support students in varied settings: from casual outings to practical life skills. The theory is that ongoing emotional support and the modeling of strategic thinking help teens develop new, durable habits.
A participant described in the program’s findings is a high-achieving student who previously struggled with anger and school fights. After a devastating family loss due to a relative’s overdose, he leaned on the program’s lessons during a difficult period in juvenile detention. He credits Choose to Change with fostering self-awareness, goal setting, and a lasting bond with his advocate that extended beyond the formal activities. From landing a job to excelling in school, his progress illustrates the program’s enduring impact.
Experts emphasize that sustained wrap-around support is key. Unlike standalone therapy, mentors attend group sessions and reinforce learning in real-life situations. A co-leader of the accompanying study notes that mentors learn the same tools in sessions, enabling them to practice and model them in the community.
The model is expanding to other U.S. cities, but funding challenges persist. Each student’s participation costs about $8,500 per year, while long-term savings from reduced policing and judicial costs are estimated at around $20,000 per participant. Even with strong evidence and philanthropic backing, scaling such comprehensive programs requires innovative funding partnerships and ongoing government support.
For Thailand, rapid urbanization, income disparities, and school disengagement raise similar concerns about youth violence. Thailand’s health and education sectors have piloted counseling and life-skills programs, but challenges remain—absenteeism, mental health stigma, and a shortage of culturally aware mentors. Choose to Change illuminates a path for Thai adoption: train mentors from local communities, integrate mental health support with broader social services, and connect emotional coaching with practical opportunities like job preparation.
Thai culture places emphasis on family duty, kreng jai (careful consideration of others), and community reputation. Therapy delivered in ways that respect these values—through trusted community figures and, where possible, family involvement—could mirror the Chicago model’s success. Mindfulness practices, embedded within Buddhist traditions, can complement CBT techniques to manage emotions.
Questions remain about scaling such intensive programs and maintaining fidelity across diverse communities. International experts advocate for independent review of results and caution that not every community will replicate Chicago’s funding success. Yet Choose to Change stands out for its robust evidence, practical guidance, and potential to reshape youth violence prevention globally.
Future developments include ongoing research and the adaptation of mentoring strategies to varied cultural settings. For Thai policymakers, education authorities, and NGOs, opportunities exist to collaborate with universities, businesses, and international partners to pilot data-driven, hybrid therapy-mentorship programs.
For Thai readers seeking safer, more supportive environments for youth, the takeaway is clear: early, comprehensive interventions that combine proven therapeutic techniques with sustained mentoring can transform lives. Schools, temples, and community organizations might explore training and integrating respected adults as mentors, while government agencies prioritize funding for hybrid programs and measure both immediate and long-term outcomes.
If you are a student, parent, teacher, or policymaker, advocate for mental health initiatives that extend beyond the clinic and classroom. Build enduring relationships and practical skills that support lifelong well-being.