Girlguiding launches peer educator programme on mental wellbeing

The “Think Resilient” bade programme by youth group Girlguiding will see “peer educators” aged between 14 and 25 talk to girls about sensitive and relevant issues such as body confidence and healthy relationships. ??

Sessions will run across the UK for girls between the age of seven and 25, including Brownies, Guides and The Senior Section, and involve interactive activities tailored to each age group such as self-calming techniques and responding to “agony aunt” letters.??

It comes following the Girlguiding’s 2015 Girls Attitudes Survey, which found half of 17-to 21-year-old young women have needed help with their mental health and 62 per cent of girls aged 11 to 21 know a girl who has experienced a mental health problem.

The programme has been developed with help from youth mental health charity YoungMinds.?

It is the latest addition to the youth groups Peer Education programme, following the inspiring body confidence badge that was launched in 2014.

Julie Bentley, chief executive of Girlguiding, said: “Our research has found that girls are struggling with their mental health, and yet often feel adults are out of touch with the pressures they face.

“It’s vital girls find the right support they need to talk about serious issues affecting their lives, which is why Girlguiding champions peer education, and the safe, supportive and inclusive environment it offers girls to discuss important matters with their peers.”

Sarah Brennan, chief executive of Young Minds, added: “Children and young people face numerous pressures as they grow up including family breakdown, stress at school, 24/7 online culture, body image issues, early sexualisation, bullying on and offline and uncertain futures when leaving school.

“Peer to peer is a really powerful and effective way to educate, and we are really proud to have been a central part of creating this pathway to help girls and young women build their emotional strength and resilience.”