Girl Scouts report identifies solutions to struggles faced by teen girls in Georgia

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Girls living in Georgia said they’re struggling with mental health, loneliness and lack of trust around adults, according to a recent report presented by the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia and Greater Atlanta.

The “State of the Georgia Girl” report also highlighted possible solutions that set young ladies up for success. Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia CEO Krystal Crawford joined Morning Break to breakdown the findings.

Six Georgia Girl Challenges

While girls are performing well academically, the report found:

• 58% of high school girls experience depression
• Two-thirds lack a trusted adult
• One in three girls feels lonely
• One in five considers self-harm
• Financial barriers to opportunities
• Body image and social media pressure

See more challenges highlighted here.

Six Solutions Identified

The report said adult champions are needed to help girls face their struggles. It prompted adults to:

• Collect Girl Data: Expand research and publicly share findings.
• Value Her Body: Promote movement, healthy body image and peer support.
• Engage, Don’t Avoid: Teach digital literacy and critical media skills.
• Show Up: Build relationships with caring, trusted adults.
• Close the STEM Gap: Introduce STEM early and connect girls with mentors.
• Her People, Her Place: Create safe spaces for friendship, growth and belonging.

See more solutions here.

Data was collected from primary sources like the U.S. Census, Centers for Disease Control, and the Georgia Department of Education.

Learn about more challenges, solutions and opportunities by clicking HERE.