Big Feelings, Bright Futures
Hello! My name is Miya Chen and I have been in Girl Scouts since Kindergarten. I am proud to present my Girl Scout Gold Award Project: “Big Feelings, Bright Futures”! I wanted to address a topic that often isn’t shared with younger children, which is mental health. For my project, I created an informational slideshow approved by an elementary school psychologist. It is designed for elementary-aged students to help them understand what mental health is, why it is important, and strategies they can use to relieve stress.
Feeling depressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or stressed doesn’t only apply to older teens and adults. These feelings can be very present in young children as well, which is why I believe it is important to equip children with the tools they need to take care of their mental health.
During my presentations at Spark Academy’s summer school program, I will introduce simple yet effective strategies like breathing techniques, journaling, talking to a trusted adult, and identifying and understanding emotions. These coping techniques are presented in a fun and age-appropriate way to help students feel confident using these in the future. I will provide journals and booklets containing the coping/ breathing techniques and resources to each student. I will also provide the academy with a “relaxation corner” consisting of pillows, stuffed animals, and stress toys.
Attached below is my presentation that includes the breathing/coping techniques and a list of mental health resources. These resources include a variety of free online counseling websites as well as local in-person counseling centers.
