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Girl Scouts & Mental Health

Girl Scouts has always focused on helping girls thrive, whatever that means for the world she lives in. Her world today presents external and internal pressures that are complex, taking a greater toll on her mental health and ambition. 

The skills we develop to build confidence and leadership are the same skills that help her be mentally resilient. We’re here to equip her to take on these challenges and have the confidence to be her best self. As an expert in girls, we connect her with resources, peers, mentors, and partners that help equip her with:

  • A positive outlook — New programs and partners to help her address the most pressing challenges for girls today.
  • Approachable experts — Expert resources for mentors to know when something is wrong and how to support others.
  • Powerful connections — Initiatives that develop her empathy to help others.
  • Healthy habits — An enhanced curriculum that integrates mental wellness.
  • Strong sense of self — Tactics to help her discover and develop her sense of self.  
NEW! Downloadable "Press Play" Back-to-School Wall Print-Outs (PDF)

Click here to download GSNETX's Mental Health and Wellness Strategic Plan one-pager.  

GSNETX Programs & Community Resources

Okay to Say™ Patch Program

This program helps girls develop more significant social and emotional confidence, as they learn it is okay to talk about mental health. Through a series of hands-on activities, girls will become more considerate and caring Girl Scouts as they learn about the impact emotions and thoughts have on their own and others' behavior. Girl Scouts of all ages can earn this patch year-round. This program is held in partnership with Okay to Say™ and the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute.
Download the patch requirements.

In addition to the Okay to Say patch program, GSNETX hosts mental health- and wellness-focused events on topics of resilience, peer support, brain health, and overall wellness. Visit our events page to find engaging programs for girls, volunteers, parents, and entire families.

Troop Spotlight

Troop Spotlight: Junior Girl Scouts in Troop 8005 completed the Okay to Say Patch program last year and it inspired them to focus on mental health for their Bronze Award. They decided to create a book that helps kids their age to take a brain break and have some “no tech fun”. Their 60 page book is full of recipes, art projects and games.

Download the No Tech Fun Book

Help Her Be Happy & Healthy

These panels are designed to provide parents and volunteers with the tools they need to lead girls through challenging times. GSNETX has held two panels with mental health experts who focused on the racial and social injustices that impact the mental and emotional health of African American and Asian American girls.

Replay of Panel on Racial Trauma
Replay of Panel on Predjudice & Stereotypes

Start Strong

This year's students will face new challenges and need a more robust social and emotional stamina. GSNETX recently held a panel on kindergarten readiness. Experts in education, mental health and well-being, social learning, and parenting offered perspectives on how to help your child have the best start to their first year in school.  Replay of Start Strong: Kinder Prep Event.


 

Additional Resources

School Year Wall Print-Outs
Articles
Find Support

SMU Center for Family Counseling provides low-cost, in-person and telehealth services for adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families. Appointments available. Call 214.768.6789 Click here to download flyer. 

Here for Texas, A Program of The Grant Halliburton Foundation: Click here to search for a local mental health provider.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255  Lifeline ofrece 24/7, gratuito servicios en español, no es necesario hablar ingles si usted necesita ayuda. 1.888.628.9454 | APRENDE MÁS

Texas Health and Human Services COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line: 833-986-1919, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Click here to find treatment or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.

Therapy on the Square is offering complementary Telehealth counseling spots for up to 10 GSNETX members who are struggling in response to COVID. Each spot includes up to 5 visits. Visits can be individual counseling for child or adult, parenting psycho education, and family, with the limited exceptions of addiction, crisis counseling, and anger management.  Email info@tots.pro  directly for more information.

Coping with COVID is a program run by Baylor College of Medicine and Harris Health System which offers free therapy over Zoom or phone to parents of children experiencing stress or anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is available to families in Texas with children age 5-13. Over 6 weekly 60 minute sessions,  trained therapists will provide one-on-one therapy to parents, covering how to address their child’s anxiety and depressive symptoms, emotionally support their child, and help their child develop effective coping skills during the pandemic. Click here for more information.

Raising Awesome Girls

Parenting advice and resources for parents of daughters.

 

The information provided on this site and in any GSNETX program is for informational and educational purposes only.  No therapeutic or professional relationship is established by your review of this material and use of this site.  No diagnosis, treatment or specific therapeutic advice is being provided to you.  There is no intent for GSNETX or this site to offer specific psychological advice to any person.

Mental Health Advisory Committee
  • Shelby Adams Abeyta, Senior Director of Communications and Public Engagement, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute 
  • Sheriff Marian Brown, Dallas County Sheriff’s Department
  • Christopher Crow, CEO, Stratify Health
  • Scott Flannery, CEO North Texas & Oklahoma, United Healthcare North Texas
  • Donna German, Community Leader
  • Kevin Hall, President, Grant Halliburton Foundation
  • Steve Health, Ph.D., Child Psychologist
  • Terry Bentley Hill, Attorney & Counselor at Law, The Law Office of Terry Bentley Hill
  • Jennifer Hughes, Psychologist, Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care, UT Southwestern Medical Center
  • Maria Johnson, Director, Youth & Family Innovations, Center for Brain Health, UTD
  • Charles Knight, Vice President, Pariveda Solutions
  • Marcellina Melvin, MA, LPC, Senior Director of Health Equity Strategy, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
  • Elena Sacca Smith, Group Manager, Office of Social Innovation, Toyota North America
  • Brandy Schumann, Ph.D., Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Dispute Resolution and Counseling, Southern Methodist University

We can't do this alone. You can help ensure that our girls have the tools and resources they need by making a donation today. For more information, please contact Erin Fischer at efischer@gsnetx.org.
 

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