Girls today face a broad range of mental, social, and emotional health challenges stemming from a variety of sources, from the natural disaster trauma our community recently experienced, to the daily pressure to please and succeed, the effects of media, prejudices and inequality, and violence. We know sexual violence has an especially profound impact on the mental well-being of a girl. Alarmingly, one in four girls in the U.S. will experience some kind of sexual victimization before she turns 18. Young women who experience sexual violence are at high risk for depression and anxiety, alcohol and drug use, and risky behavior — leading to problems in school and increased risk of dropout.
As we approach national Girls Inc. Week, May 7-11, Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara and Girls Inc. of Carpinteria are raising awareness of mental wellness for girls and combating prevalent stigmas surrounding mental health issues and treatment.
Mental health is important at every stage of life and is critical for a young person’s short-term and long-term success. Unfortunately, one in five teens report suffering from a mental illness, and many do not feel comfortable asking for help because of societal stigma; others simply may not have access to quality, affordable health care. Not addressing mental health issues can have dangerous consequences: Suicide remains the third leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 10-24, and the rate of girls committing suicide has tripled in the past 15 years.