Girl Scouts of Colorado prioritizes youth Mental Wellness through Patch Programs and annual Sisterhood of Support retreats
May 20, 2024
Girl Scouts of Colorado prioritizes youth Mental Wellness through Patch Programs and annual Sisterhood of Support retreats
Studies show that girls are disproportionally affected by the increasing mental health crisis in America, and new National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) data shows nearly 90% of parents are now prioritizing their child’s mental health over academic achievement, yet teachers are tapped, and therapists have patient waitlists up to a yearlong. The Girl Scouts Mental Wellness Initiative aims to equip our youth and their caregivers with the tools needed to support their own mental wellness and proactively practice self-care.
In response to the national mental health crisis, Girl Scouts of the USA released new mental wellness programming and training to support leaders with identifying potential issues, helping foster skills and behaviors that lead to better well-being, and preparing older Girl Scouts with the tools to help friends and classmates in appropriate ways.
“Becoming a Girl Scout means tapping into a supportive group of people who uplift you every step of the way,” says Girl Scouts of Colorado CEO Leanna Clark. “When it comes to caring for your mental wellness, the Girl Scouts Mental Wellness patch program reminds you that you’re never alone in facing challenges and further invites you to dive into and understand your emotions.”
Girl Scouts of Colorado is in its third year of offering programming to helps girls cope and work through mental health concerns by sharing mental health tips, resources, workshops, and other engagements for volunteers, Girl Scouts, and families.
Mental health-specific programming has expanded to encompass three Sisterhood of Support wellness retreats at camp properties each year, helping hundreds of girls spend focused time on themselves and their own self-care. The next upcoming Sisterhood of Support Retreat for preteen Girl Scouts will be the weekend of June 11 at the Girl Scout camp property, Meadow Mountain Ranch, near Allenspark and Rocky Mountain National Park. During the retreat Girl Scouts will have the opportunity to do activities focused on mental wellbeing such as Make Kindness the Norm, S.O.S. Bracelets, and the Resilient, Ready, Strong patch programs.
All Girl Scout participants will earn a Sisterhood of Support patch while exploring their creative thought processes and building team environments safe for everyone. Girl Scout Cadettes will also earn the Science of Happiness GSUSA Badge.
