Mental Health & Wellness

About Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas's Commitment to 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

Download GSNETX's Mental Health and Wellness Strategic Plan one-pager.

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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 English or Español.

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.

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Troop Spotlight: Junior Girl Scouts in Troop 8005 completed the Okay to Say Patch program, 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.

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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

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After the onset of Covid-19, students faced new challenges and needed a more robust social and emotional stamina. GSNETX 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.

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Download Press Play on a Successful School Year wall print-outs.

Articles

Learn About Children's Mental Health

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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

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

Raising Awesome Girls

Girl Scouts helps parents and caregivers connect with reseources to ensure they're raising their girls to be happy, healthy, and successful. Click here to learn more about how Girl Scouts can help you raise up the next generation of girls and young women.

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.

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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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