There is no doubt that young girls are resilient and eager. However, recent studies show that young girls, between their elementary and high school years, experience a shocking drop in self-confidence. Equally alarming is the number of girls that develop mental health issues earlier on in life.
How do we help young girls become more confident in themselves while simultaneously impacting their mental health in a positive way? First, by learning more about the issues surrounding women and their mental health.
Today, there are misrepresentations, and equally alarming myths, stereotyping any person with a mental health condition. In fact, there are two types of stigmas on mental health.
What people don’t know is that these suffered infamies are most prevalent in women and young girls. In fact, studies have shown in our general population close to 40% of all women are more likely to develop mental health conditions compared to a much lower percentile of men.
These gender biases are proven to negatively segregate female roles in society which have led to increasing mental health conditions for women, i.e. anxiety, depression.
It is extremely important to take preventative measures early on, to avoid the increasing percentage of women suffering from mental health conditions. Which is why we might be able to solve these issues through bettering our interpersonal communication habits with girls and enrolling them in valuable after school programs.
After school programs can positively impact academic achievement in the short-term, while in the long-term, can help establish a solidity of mental health in adolescents.
That’s why carefully considering after school programs shouldn’t be a ‘one-size fits all’ approach. Instead, adults and girls should be more strategic when choosing an after-school program that has lasting takeaways. Here are a few examples:
Here are some good practices and techniques, for parents, guardians, and teachers alike, to help younger girls feel more confident in themselves:
Tips for Building Confidence in Your Girls:
It is extremely important to teach girls that being female is in fact a strength; never a weakness or vulnerability.
Academic involvement and utilizing positive communicative patterns for young girls may be a few steps in helping their adolescent development, but there are more ways that you can help avoid the symptoms of mental illness. Contact us at Fairmount to learn more about appropriate steps to helping your daughter, step-daughter, or grand-daughter.
References:
The Davison Institute: http://www.davidsongifted.org/
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com
Time Online: http://ideas.time.com
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com
World Health Organization: http://www.who.int
Mental Health Net: https://www.mentalhelp.net
North Museum, Lancaster PA: https://northmuseum.org
Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls: https://amysmartgirls.com/
The First Tee: https://thefirsttee.org
The Fast Company: https://www.fastcompany.com
If a psychiatric disorder or chemical dependency affects you or a loved one, please call 215-487-4100. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to perform no-cost assessments and answer questions on programs and admissions.