State of the Georgia Girl Report

Depression & Suicidality Among the most pressing concerns for Georgia girls’ mental health is the prevalence of depression. The U.S. Surgeon General declared a national state of emergency regarding youth mental health in 2021, and Georgia’s data mirrors that national crisis. The Georgia Student Health Survey finds that 58% of girls in middle and high school experienced symptoms of depression in the past 30 days, compared to 39% of boys. The internalized weight of stress, anxiety, and depression carries Georgia girls toward dangerous outcomes at rates higher than their male peers. 18% of girls in middle and high school seriously considered harming themselves in the past year, compared to 12% of boys. Girls in Georgia are also more likely than boys to seriously consider attempting suicide (11% versus 7%) and to actually attempt it (5% versus 4%). 3 out of 5 middle and high school girls report experiencing signs of depression, leading to 1 in 10 seriously considering suicide. Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Student Health Survey – Middle and High School, 2023–2024.

Upper School Students Reporting Instances of Mental Health Distress

EMOTIONAL WELLNESS OF GEORGIA GIRLS

58%

39%

18%

12%

11%

7%

5%

4%

Symptoms of depression

Seriously considered self-harm

Seriously considered suicide

Attempted suicide

Female

Male

Multiple theories and interventions have been developed to specifically reduce the rate of depressive symptoms to lower risks of suicidality in adolescent girls. One intervention, the Penn Resiliency Program, is based on cognitive-behavioral prevention and the belief that peer- and mentor-based support is a key ingredient in positive mental health. A pilot study comparing girls-only and co-ed group formats of the program found that girls-only groups were more effective in reducing adolescent girls’ hopelessness. The study also found that girls attended the girls-only groups more reliably than the co-ed alternative (Chaplin, 2008). The notable success rate of girls-only formats signals that interventions for adolescent girls require a targeted approach, not a generic one.

48

THE 2026 STATE OF THE GEORGIA GIRL REPORT