Meet Girl Powerful. New to town, non-profit founders and sisters Tedi and Sonya Serge are on a mission to give female youth the tools to build a strong sense of self. These vibrant personalities utilize their previous education and experiences to ensure all girls feel seen, valued and heard. The Girl Powerful philosophy and mental health curriculum is based on socio-emotional learning (SEL) and is taught by these sisters skilled in understanding, connecting, and embracing.
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About Girl Powerful
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a dedicated time to share resources, provide support and advance the discussion of the importance of mental health and erase stigma surrounding asking for help. More than one-third of all teenage girls have reported experiencing a depressive episode* which is more than double the amount of teenage boys that report the same experiences.
Photo Credit: Girl Powerful
This month, Girl Powerful® , a nonprofit organization on a mission to make all girls feel seen, valued and heard™, is amplifying it's messaging by sharing tips for parents in the Treasure Valley to help check-in with their children's mental health as we all integrate back into society feeling confident and supported.
1. Movement Matters (Fitness)
It is important to move our bodies daily, not for vanity, but for the happy brain chemicals our bodies are craving, like serotonin and endorphins. Not only does your brain release these "feel good" chemicals but exercise also helps release negative energy like stress and anxiety which combats pandemic-related stressors.
It's the perfect time to start something new, sign up for a sport you have never tried before, everyone's a little rusty and you'll meet new friends. If you need to find a summer job, apply at local gyms or studios so you can get a free membership as well. There are ways to find what you need in your community.
2. Phone a Friend (Social Support)
It is important to be in contact with people outside of your home. If it is through a facetime call, great...even better is if you're allowed to meet for a socially distanced walk or playdate to make sure your social health doesn't go unattended. Put down your phone when you see your friends and family. Make new memories by asking your friends questions that are a little deeper, connect with a grandparent and ask them what's one thing they wish they knew when they were young.
Making your life more connected and intentional will help you stay connected and feel supported. This way you have support for days and in the event, you might need a shoulder to cry on you will have someone to lean on.
3. Start Fresh (Self-Esteem)
This is the time to redesign your life. If you want to try out for a new sport, now is the time to start training. If you want to be part of the theatre department you can ask a parent for singing lessons or find some free lessons on YouTube. If you want to show back up to school in a new way, now is the time to lean into your uniqueness and follow your true passions.
The pandemic allowed time to rethink and readjust. If you don't like how school was going... it is time to fix it.
Photo Credit: Girl Powerful
Photo Credit: Girl Powerful
4. Have a weekly family check-in to establish open communication.
Tweens and teens don't normally admit to dealing with mental health issues like stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, low self-esteem. It is the adult's job to notice changes in the tween/teen that signals to you something is off about your child. Ques could be being snappy, being withdrawn, changes in friends, or mood swings. If you are leaving your teens alone, have preventative conversations with them so they can make smart and healthy choices when their teen world becomes more exploratory.
Make sure lines of communication are open between you and your teen and if you can't break through or it is uncomfortable for you as a parent, find a mentor or program (like Girl Powerful) that can and will help guide your kid in the right direction.
5. Kids see and hear everything.
Remember to be a positive role model for your child. It is important to speak kindly to yourself and others around your children. If you are dealing with mental health issues yourself, be honest about it with your kids and show them how you are making sure your health is taken care of. Make sure they see you working out, journaling, having healthy relationships with family and friends, choose healthy food options, take up a new hobby, go back to school, etc. By showing up for yourself, you are showing up for your kids.
Girl Powerful is hosting a Virtual Self-Care Summit on Saturday, May 15th for tween girls ages 10 - 14. At the Self-Care Summit the Girl Powerful team will focus on movement, skincare, cooking, and lessons on communicating feelings.
Purchase tickets here:
Girl Powerful Virtual Classes