Escape Now

Mind Over Muscle

Mind Over Muscle is a program for young men, designed to explore healthy notions of masculinity. The program covers characteristics of healthy conflict resolution skills versus an unhealthy violent lifestyle. Those who participate in Mind Over Muscle learn appropriate ways to communicate and stand up for their rights in a relationship. The boys also get actively involved in several community events and service projects, using the skills they have learned.

Educational goals and topics of the Mind Over Muscle program include:

Truly Manly: Mind over Muscle
This element focuses on the smart way to handle a situation of conflict, how they can outsmart the other person by using their brains instead of their fists.

Accountability: Reason over Excuse
A "reason" is an explanation for why something is the way it is, with everyone involved taking accountability for their part in a situation. An "excuse" is an explanation for why something is the way it is, that can involve blame being put on someone or something else. The real difference between these two terms lies with the element of accountability.

Self-Esteem: Belief in one's Ability
Healthy self-esteem is a student's armor against challenges of the school environment, and a sense of accomplishment is an element that strengthens one's self-esteem. When challenges arise, students with healthy self-esteem can work toward finding solutions and voice their concerns without humiliating themselves or others. Instead of saying, "I can't do this," a child with healthy self-esteem says, "I don't understand this". They know their strengths and weaknesses, and accept them, with a sense of optimism prevailing.

The Mind Over Muscle program works with groups of 10 or fewer boys. These groups meet once a week for 8-12 weeks. The first week the young men take a pre-test on normative beliefs about aggression. The last week of group, the young men complete a post-test to measure any shift in those beliefs. Members of these groups are determined by counselor referrals.

To learn more about Mind Over Muscle, contact the Prevention Services Department at (309) 691-0551.