Many parents have experiences of struggling with their own mental health, including the loneliness that comes with raising children. If loneliness is a difficult thing for adults to deal with — especially in an increasingly online post-pandemic world — then it’s an even harsher experience for our children. This is especially true for our daughter.
New research from the Girl Scouts of the United States shows that the loneliness epidemic is already starting to affect girls as young as 5 years old. The organization conducted a nationally representative survey of 1,000 American girls aged 5 to 13 and found that nearly 70 percent felt lonely. The survey also found that these feelings only get stronger as they get older: 64% of girls aged 5 to 7, 67% of girls aged 8 to 10, and 73% of girls aged 11 to 13. % said they felt lonely.
Even more worryingly, many of the girls interviewed said that as their loneliness increased, their confidence declined. While 86% of girls aged 5 to 7 say they believe they can handle challenges, only 80% of girls aged 8 to 10 feel the same way, and this number drops to 73% of girls aged 11 to 13.
Despite their numbers, there is hope for this generation of girls, starting with community building.
“As we navigate the complexities of today’s digital age, we must prioritize authentic connection and emotional well-being,” said Dr. Christine Crawford, associate medical director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Girl Scouts are known for creating a supportive environment, empowering girls to express themselves, and helping them find support, but in recent years they have ramped up their mental health programming to support girls in growing and discovering their own mental health practices — but it’s not just for them. There are even resources for parents, caregivers and troop leaders, such as free tips and training, to give them a starting point if this all feels like, well, a lot of.
If you’re looking for more ways to help the girls in your life combat loneliness, sign up for Girl Scouts here and read on to learn how they can help girls and Adults only do one show at a time.
make friends
Aimed at little girls ages 7 to 9, the Brownie Friends Badge program teaches girls how to be good friends and shows them how their friendship skills can help the world. It includes activities that teach girls to be kind, thoughtful and respectful and to share what they love with others. For parents and troop leaders, the Girl Scouts website also provides simple ways to help girls of all ages find friends and cultivate meaningful relationships.
“Resilient. Ready. Strong. Patch
Girl Scout patches have always been a way to help girls connect to their communities and achieve their goals. The tough one. Get ready. Strong. Launched in 2021, Patch aims to empower girls by giving them the opportunity to try resilience-building challenges, such as trying a new hobby or creating a “happy box” to explore their emotions.
Mental Health Patch Plan
To help inspire mental health practices for girls aged 9 to 17, the new Mental Health Patch program encourages them to explore their own self-care practices, such as taking time to check in with themselves, express their feelings and support others.
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA)
Girl Scouts partnered with the National Council on Mental Health to create Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) to help council staff, troop leaders and volunteers better support girls’ mental health. It introduces common mental health challenges, reviews typical teenage development, and teaches a five-step action plan for helping girls cope with anxiety and depression as well as eating disorders. If you’re looking for a place to start with the girls in your life, Girl Scouts offers a free brochure with tips on how to keep your family connected, supported, and safe that you can access here .
Mental Health 101 Training
Mental health is not something any child should face alone. To support your daughter on her journey, Girl Scouts offers the Mental Health 101 training program, which provides adults such as troop leaders and volunteers with the knowledge and tools to promote mental health within the Girl Scout community.
Whether you’re looking for resources to help your daughter cope with mental health issues or trying to find a community that can help her build confidence, Girl Scouts can provide tools, skills and support for both of you. Sign up here to learn more.
