HCA partners with Girl Scouts to support patch program

The HCA Healthcare Foundation and Girl Scouts of the USA recently launched a national Mental Wellness Patch Program to address mental wellness among young women. Developed in partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the patch programs are currently available to all Girl Scout councils nationwide.

Locally, HCA Virginia and Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth have joined forces to implement the program, which is specifically designed for girls in grades 4-12.

The new program encourages girls to learn about mental wellness, recognize and understand their feelings, effectively cope with mental health challenges, and feel comfortable seeking help. Patches include Knowing My Emotions, which teaches Girl Scout Juniors (grades 4-5) positive coping skills, Finding My Voice, which teaches Girl Scout Cadettes (grades 6-8) about stigma and social media awareness, and Showing Up For Me and You, which equips Girl Scout Seniors/Ambassadors (grades 9–12) with tactics for practicing self-care as well as coping mechanisms on how to handle difficult situations.

Programming includes 90-minute sessions that feature activities such as making art or writing poetry that foster resilience and help girls to better understand their world. Program materials also include meeting aids, parent/caregiver resources, teaser activities, and marketing tools; each patch also includes an adult facilitator guide to help adults approach girls in a sensitive way, prompt important conversations, and guide them through difficult moments.

For details, visit https://www.girlscouts.org/en/activities-for-girls/for-every-girl/mental-wellness-patches.html.