Fighting for Mental Health: How Sport and Community Empower Youth in Favelas

André Lobo and Gabriela Peixinho / Luta pela Paz

In recent years, there has been growing global recognition of the importance of mental health for individual and societal development, along with an urgent call to implement effective and sustainable strategies. According to the World Health Organization, mental health is shaped by a complex interplay of individual, social, and structural factors. Adolescence, in particular, is a critical period for emotional and social development. Exposure to poverty, violence, or discrimination during this stage increases vulnerability to mental health issues. Globally, one in seven adolescents lives with a mental disorder, with depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders being among the leading causes of illness and disability. While not all youth are equally affected, those living in conditions of inequality and exclusion face significantly higher risks.

In Brazil, the absence of adequate mental health support in favelas—areas marked by systemic inequality and recurring violence—prevents communities, especially youth, from thriving. A study conducted by the Center for Studies on Security and Citizenship (CESeC) found that individuals living in favelas with frequent exposure to armed violence face significantly greater health risks compared to those in more peaceful neighborhoods. The findings revealed they are 73% more likely to suffer from insomnia, 42% more likely to develop hypertension, and twice as likely to present symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

With a population of approximately 140,000 people, the Maré neighborhood—also known as Complexo da Maré—is one of the largest conglomerates of favelas in Rio de Janeiro, comprising 15 distinct communities. Strategically located between major access routes in the city, the area is contested by the country’s main armed civilian groups. As a result, armed confrontations are a frequent part of daily life for Maré’s residents, further intensified by repressive public security policies that contribute to this ongoing reality. Since 2020, there have been 106 police operations in the area, resulting in 65 deaths. 

This context is marked by overlapping layers of inequality—economic, racial, and social—which intersect with daily exposure to violence and limited access to opportunities. The Construindo Pontes study (2020), conducted by Redes da Maré in partnership with People’s Palace Projects, assessed the effects of armed violence on the physical and mental health of 1,411 residents of the Maré Complex. The study found that 31% of respondents said their mental health had been affected by violence—rising to 44% among those who had witnessed shootouts. The most frequently reported symptoms were depressive episodes (26.6%) and anxiety (25.5%), while 12% of those caught in crossfire reported having had suicidal thoughts.

It is in this context that Luta pela Paz (Fight for Peace – LPP) was founded in 2000, with its headquarters located at the intersection of territories controlled by rival factions. LPP’s mission is to support young people in reaching their full potential and to contribute to the creation of safer, more inclusive societies.

We believe that young people’s behavior and choices are deeply influenced by the opportunities and support available to them, as well as by how they see themselves, relate to others, and envision their future. That is why, in our Academies in Rio de Janeiro and London, we provide direct support to children and youth through integrated programs grounded in our Five Pillars methodology: Boxing and Martial Arts, Education, Employability, Social Support, and Youth Leadership.

At our headquarters in Maré, we support 1,200 children and young people annually, and engage nearly 1,000 students through school partnerships. Our methodology combines boxing and martial arts (B&MA) with personal development sessions, following a sport-for-development approach.

B&MA interventions play a powerful role in youth development by strengthening emotional regulation, resilience, and social bonds. These practices foster a sense of belonging and identity, offering safe spaces where young people feel supported. B&MA also help manage stress and frustration, and serve as effective tools to teach life skills such as discipline, respect, confidence, and self-control. When integrated into broader development programs, they become a transformative force - inside and outside the ring and mat.

Every year, we assess the impact of our work through self-administered surveys with participants aged 12 and older. In our most recent evaluation, 89.9% of participants reported feeling more energized and in better spirits, 85.5% said they felt more confident in their abilities and self-worth, and 79.7% found it easier to work as part of a team.

We also place great emphasis on creating emotionally and physically safe environments. As a result, 95.8% of the women in our programs say LPP is a safe space with regard to gender prejudice, and 88.6% of Black participants feel it is a safe space in relation to racism.

To expand these outcomes beyond Maré, we have trained and supported over 260 grassroots organizations in 25 countries since 2011, sharing our methodologies and building capacity to work with youth in contexts affected by inequality and violence.

Promoting the mental and physical well-being of children and young people remains a major challenge. But through sport for development and collaborative action, we believe it is possible to generate meaningful, lasting change—one young person, one community at a time.

※ Views expressed in this article are those of the authors