Girl Scouts of Central Indiana recently announced the launch of three new mental wellness patches within the Movement’s Mental Health Initiative, which was launched in 2021 in response to the mental health crises today’s young women face. Designed for girls in grades 4 through 12, these new patches provide useful tools to help them safely identify and explore their feelings, seek support, and find resources for help, if needed.
“In September, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana proudly shared the Indiana Girl Report commissioned through the Indiana Youth Institute in collaboration with Girl Scout councils from across the state and the Girl Coalition of Indiana,” Girl Scouts of Central Indiana CEO Danielle Shockey said. “The groundbreaking report provided data that calls attention to the critical state of mental health for Hoosier girls, and these new Girl Scout patches are perfectly timely for girls in our state.”
The patches include: Knowing My Emotions, Finding My Voice, and Showing Up for Me and You.
Each patch program includes an adult facilitator guide to help adults approach girls in a sensitive way, prompt important conversations, and guide them through difficult moments. Resources are also available to the public on the Girl Scout Activity Zone, where people can explore and download free wellness curriculum and activities.
These patches, made possible by the HCA Healthcare Foundation and developed in partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA)
Program Advisory Committee, including HCA Healthcare behavioral health experts, are part of GSUSA’s continued commitment to providing solutions to the national mental health crises young girls are facing. To date, GSUSA has released research, including Girls Speak Out About Mental Health in 2020, and programming like Resilient. Ready. Strong. and Youth Mental Health First Aid/Mental Wellness 101.
“We are proud to continue partnering with Girl Scouts on this research-based mental wellness program,” said Joanne Pulles, vice president of community engagement at HCA Healthcare and president of the HCA Healthcare Foundation. “Girls need support now more than ever, and thanks to the reach of the Girl Scouts model, we know that these resources have the potential to make a positive impact on countless young women.”
Studies show that girls are disproportionally affected by the increasing mental health crisis in America and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) data reveals that nearly 90 percent of parents are prioritizing their child’s mental health over academic achievement.
“NAMI is proud to support Girl Scouts’ effort to raise awareness for mental health and well-being with the patch program,” NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. said. “The reach and ability to support girls across age groups with tailored resources and activities is incredibly valuable not only for the girls but also for parents and caregivers. We hope by making it easier to talk generally about mental health with a trusted adult, girls will feel more at ease sharing concerns or asking questions.”
Girl Scouts of Central Indiana is continuously working to destigmatize mental illness, normalizing conversations around mental health and mental illness, and will continue to develop inclusive programs for Girl Scouts of all backgrounds. To access valuable resources to support girls’ mental well-being and join Girl Scouts, visit girlscouts.org/mentalwellness.