May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and recent studies show that girls are disproportionally affected by the increasing mental health crisis in America.

As Girl Scouts, we act on matters we believe in and understand the importance of mental wellness. That is why GSUSA created the Mental Wellness and Inclusion Portal. From programs designed for all grade levels to training for adults, you and your girl can participate in various activities, receive support from peers, and build social-emotional skills—all in a physically and psychologically safe environment.

Gulfcoast Girl Scout Alexis Morrison decided to champion the issue of mental health awareness for her Gold Award project, “Mental Health Awareness.”

After learning that around 30%-80% of people who suffer with mental health issues don’t seek treatment, Alexis sought to provide support resources for children and teens suffering from mental health problems to get the help they need. She was inspired to take on his project from her own experience with mental health struggles.

“I’ve struggled with my mental health since I was 12,” Alexis said. “Because of this, I’m very passionate about raising awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding it.”

Alexis worked for over 80 hours to accomplish her goal of creating social media posts and YouTube videos to inform her audience about mental health facts and resources, and to foster a supportive community for those experiencing mental health struggles.

“Overall, I really just learned that I’m strong,” Alexis said. “I completed something I didn’t think I could, at one point. I was able to continue to work on my project even when my mind made it difficult. I’m very grateful for this experience and everything it taught me. I’ve learned how to better manage my time, thoughts, and energy.”

Alexis earned the Girl Scout Gold Award in March 2023. She will be entering into the LPN program at Suncoast Technical College in the fall and aspires to become a become a nurse and travel the world. She enjoys working, playing board games and hanging out with her friends.

The Girl Scout Gold Award acknowledges the power behind each Gold Award Girl Scout’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also to making the world a better place for others. Through earning the Gold Award, Girl Scouts become innovative problem solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally.

“Gold Award Girl Scouts are the dreamers and doers who take ‘make the world a better place’ to the next level,” said GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian. “These girls tackled issues that are important to them and their communities, and we congratulate them on this momentous accomplishment.”

By earning their Gold Awards, these young women have distinguished themselves as true community leaders and change-makers who have made a meaningful and sustainable difference in the world. Their accomplishments reflect leadership and social responsibility that set them apart from their peers.

According to recent research, Gold Award Girl Scouts are more likely to fill leadership roles at work and in their personal lives and are more civically engaged than their non-Girl Scout peers. Eighty-five percent of Gold Award Girl Scouts say that earning their Gold Award gave them skills to succeed in their daily lives, and eighty-seven percent say it gave them skills to help them succeed professionally.

As a bonus, the Gold Award opens doors to a variety of scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college, strong networking and amazing career opportunities, and much more. About 4,000 Girl Scouts earn their Gold Award every year, placing Alexis among a prestigious community of change-makers who have achieved this honor. Since 1916, over 160,000 Girl Scouts have earned the Gold Award or its equivalent.