Mental Wellness Starts Here

Growing up in today’s world comes with unique challenges, and many girls struggle with feelings of loneliness. Nearly 70% of girls ages 5–13 report experiencing it, which can affect their mental well-being. Girl Scouts provides a safe, supportive space where girls and their families can openly explore emotions, develop self-care practices, and gain essential coping skills. Through meaningful connections, engaging activities, and a strong sense of community, Girl Scouts helps girls build confidence, resilience, and lifelong friendships —fostering healthy habits and overall well-being for a brighter future.

Discover upcoming wellness events, mental wellness programs, and valuable tips and resources to support you and your family on your mental wellness journey.

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Girl Scouting offers a multifaceted approach to bolstering girls' mental health through safe environments, engaging programs, and supportive communities.

Safe and Supportive Environment

Girl Scouts provides a secure space where girls feel free to express themselves, fostering positive mental health. Supportive troop leaders and peers create a community that encourages open discussions about emotions and challenges. For instance, many girls have found solace and purpose within their troops, with some crediting their involvement in Girl Scouts as a critical support system during difficult times.

Engaging and Purposeful Programming

Participating in Girl Scout activities offers girls opportunities to focus on engaging tasks, providing a respite from daily stressors. Programs are designed to build confidence, resilience, and essential coping skills. For example, the Mental Wellness Patch Programs encourage girls to explore their emotions and develop positive coping strategies through activities like art and poetry.

Community Connection and Social Support

Building healthy relationships is a cornerstone of Girl Scouting. Research indicates that companionship within the organization encourages girls to try new things and develop a strong sense of self. Engaging in community service proved to enhance girls' mental health.

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Empowering Girls through Mental Wellness

Girl Scouts Mental Wellness patch program helps girls learn about self-care by building healthy habits, safely exploring their feelings, and seeking support resources in a safe and intimate setting. The program teaches girls what mental health is, how to combat the stigma, how to take care of their own mental wellness, and how to cope with difficult situations.

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council (GSSJC) is committed to educating girls about mental health issues that they and their peers are experiencing.

Okay to Say (Grades K – 12)

"Okay to Say" is designed to promote mental health awareness and destigmatize conversations around mental health challenges. Through a series of interactive activities and discussions, girls learn about the importance of mental health, how to recognize signs of mental distress, and where to seek help if needed.

Okay to Say Patch Program Guide - English

Okay to Say Patch Program Guide - Spanish

Resilient. Ready. Strong. (Grades K – 12)

Resilient. Ready. Strong. is a comprehensive initiative aimed at fostering resilience and strength in girls. Through a series of interactive activities and workshops, girls learn essential life skills, coping strategies, and self-care techniques to effectively navigate challenges and setbacks.

Resilient, Ready, Strong Patch Activity Guide - English

Resilient, Ready, Strong Patch Activity Guide - Spanish

Knowing My Emotions (Grades 4 and 5)

Knowing My Emotions helps girls develop emotional intelligence and self-awareness. Through engaging activities and discussions, girls learn to identify and understand their emotions and the importance of recognizing and managing emotions, fostering empathy towards others, and building strong interpersonal skills.

Knowing My Emotions Teaser and Facilitator Guide

Finding My Voice (Grades 6 -8)

Finding My Voice empowers girls to discover and embrace their unique voices. Through a series of engaging activities and experiences, girls explore various aspects of self-expression, learn to articulate their thoughts and opinions effectively, and gain the courage to advocate for issues they care about.

Girl Scouts Finding My Voice Facilitator Guide

Showing Up for Me & You (Grades 11 and 12)

Showing Up For Me & You promotes self-care, empathy, and community engagement. Through a series of interactive activities and discussions, girls learn the importance of prioritizing their own well-being while also supporting others.

Showing Up for Me & You Facilitator Guide

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GSSJC mental wellness programs were developed in partnership with:

HCA Healthcare Foundation
Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
Mental Health America of Greater Houston
National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI)
Women's Fund Houston

We are so grateful for their partnership and commitment to support youth mental wellness and health.

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Learn more about the Mental Health Patch Giveaway.

FREE Mental Wellness Patch Program

Earn a FREE Mental Wellness Patch supported by HCA Healthcare Foundation

LEARN MORE

Nurturing Mental Health Through Outdoor Adventures

Girl Scouts’ girl-led and girl-inspired outdoor programs provide unique opportunities for girls to immerse themselves in nature - away from screens – to try new things and engage in physical activity in a supportive and inclusive environment. Research from the Girl Scout Institute shows that spending time in nature can significantly contribute to the mental well-being and overall development of girls and that:

Exposure to green spaces restores focus and improves cognitive functioning.
Spending time outdoors reduces stress and lowers blood pressure.
Learning new skills in nature increases self-confidence.
Outdoor recreational experiences positively influence environmental attitudes, values, and behaviors, cultivating a sense of responsibility for nature.

Additionally, girls who attend all-girl camps gain confidence in their abilities, develop strong teamwork skills, learn perseverance and responsibility, and demonstrate independence. This is why Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council is committed to getting every girl outdoors and providing great camp experiences that have a lasting impact.

Girls' outdoor programs offer a holistic approach to supporting girls’ mental health by:

Creating Community and Connection

Participating in outdoor programs provides opportunities for girls from different backgrounds to form friendships, work collaboratively, and build supportive relationships to create a sense of belonging and support.

Building confidence and self-esteem

Overcoming outdoor challenges, such as building a campfire or conquering a ropes course instills a sense of confidence and builds self-esteem.

Learning Resilience

Outdoor experiences often involve overcoming fears and obstacles which helps girls develop a range of life skills, including problem solving, decision making, communication, and teamwork.

GSSJC Mental Health & Crisis Resources

If you or someone you care about feels overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, or like you want to harm yourself or others call 911 or one of the national crisis resources below.

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GSSJC mental health and crisis resources

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In the state of Texas, all incidents involving abuse of a child, whether physical, emotional, or sexual, must be reported to the state.

1) If the child is in immediate life-threatening danger, call 911.

2) If the situation is urgent and needs to be investigated within 24 hours, call the Texas Abuse Hotline: 1-800-252-5400.

3) If you are reporting suspicion of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, you may report using the Texas Abuse Hotline website: txabusehotline.org

211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE

Dial 2-1-1 or (877) 541-7905, or visit 211texas.org.

As a trusted state resource available 24/7, 211 Texas is a connector for all Texans to critical, community-based services. Whether it’s a sudden medical bill, a natural disaster, a veteran trying to return to civilian life, or a concern about an aging parent — people from all walks of life can find themselves in need of assistance and confronted with a maze of agencies and programs that are challenging to navigate. 211 Counts is your source for local data in real time! For valuable data and a full breakdown on specific met and unmet needs in your service areas, visit tx.211counts.org

National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)

Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264, or text "HelpLine" to 62640

Through this collaboration, Girl Scout councils can connect with state and local NAMI affiliates to provide access to their resources and expertise. This is especially helpful when recruiting volunteers for the Mental Wellness Patch Program. This partnership will build capacity to support the mental well-being of young people, volunteers, and families, while providing more resources and experiences to Girl Scout troops. For information and Texas resources, please visit www.namitexas.org.

HCA Healthcare Foundation

Through this collaboration, Girl Scout councils in the following states can connect with local HCA Healthcare affiliates to provide access, volunteers, and subject matter expertise: Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. For more information about HCA Healthcare, visit www.hcahealthcareimpact.com.

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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Call or text 988, or chat via 988lifeline.org

This is a crisis hotline that can help with many issues, not just suicide. For example, anyone who feels sad, hopeless, or suicidal; family and friends who are concerned about a loved one; or anyone interested in mental health treatment referrals can call the Lifeline. Callers are connected with a professional nearby who will talk with them about what they are feeling or concerns for other family and friends. Call the toll-free Lifeline, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741

Available 24/7, 365 days a year, this organization helps people with mental health challenges by connecting callers with trained crisis volunteers who will provide confidential advice, support, and referrals if needed.

The Trevor Project

Call 866-488-7386 or Text START to 678678

https://www.thetrevorproject.org

Trained counselors available 24/7 to support youth who are in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk. Specializing in supporting the LGBTQI+ community.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

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The National Council for Behavioral Health

https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/providers/?region=

Search for organizations that are committed to providing mental health services to anyone in the community who needs it regardless of their ability to pay.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

https://www.samhsa.gov

SAMHSA provides information on mental health services and treatment centers through an online service locator. You can search by your location, whether or not they provide services for youth, payment options (private insurance, cash, or something else), languages spoken, etc.

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Mental Health First Aid USA

https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/mental-health-resources/

The Mental Health First Aid website has additional resources related to the most common mental disorders.