Community Workshop Addresses Critical Mental Health Crisis Among Florida Girls

The Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida and the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County are joining forces to address a growing mental health crisis among young women across the state. The organizations will co-host a free community workshop on Thursday, October 16, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Mandel Public Library in West Palm Beach to confront critical challenges identified in the comprehensive State of the Florida Girl study.

The report reveals disturbing trends in emotional wellness, with 52% of high school girls reporting feeling sad or hopeless for two or more consecutive weeks, reflecting a 40% increase in depression over the past decade. More alarming is that one in four girls seriously considered attempting suicide, showing a troubling rise of more than 60% in the last 10 years. These statistics underscore the urgent need for mental health support and intervention strategies for young women across Florida.

Academic performance and safety concerns present additional challenges, with one in eight girls missing school due to feeling unsafe. Girls are 1.5 times more likely than boys to stay home after experiencing bullying, and twice as many girls as boys are victims of cyberbullying, highlighting significant online safety challenges. The physical health section reveals body image issues affecting 36% of girls who believe they are overweight, despite only 32% meeting medical criteria for being overweight or obese.

The workshop will feature a keynote presentation by Elle Harrigan, Chief Advancement Officer for Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, followed by a panel discussion including Karen Brill, Chair of the Palm Beach County School Board; Annie McGrath, League member and educator; and a Girl Scout representative. Harrigan emphasized that these findings reveal the critical need for action, open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving. Our girls are navigating pressures that impact their mental health, academic success and physical confidence, she noted. This workshop will bring our community together to talk about real solutions that can change the trajectory for girls across Florida.

Beyond the mental health statistics, the report examines additional challenges including exposure to violence, barriers to health insurance, and growing rates of youth homelessness. The Girl Scouts organization provides a safe, supportive environment for girls through programming designed to support them at every stage of their developmental journey. The workshop is free and open to the public, with registration available at http://bit.ly/474fewC. Additional information about the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida can be found at https://www.gssef.org, while details about the League of Women Voters are available at https://www.lwvpbc.org.