State of the Georgia Girl Report

Depression & Suicidality, continued. Among girls in Georgia who have seriously considered harming themselves, half report family reasons as the source of distress. Research has long established the intergenerational

pattern of mental health: children whose parents have mental or emotional health problems are more likely to present with similar problems themselves (Landstedt, 2019). Strong support and stability in the home in addition to family characteristics like talking together and working through problems promotes positive mental health for girls (Bethell, 2022). The strong link between the family environment and self harm signals that interventions for girls cannot focus solely on the individual; they must engage the family system that surrounds her.

Death by suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people in Georgia, ages 10-14.

Family and school are the top reasons girls cite considering self-harm. Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Student Health Survey – Middle and High School, 2023–2024.

Reasons girls in middle and high school report considering harming themselves in the past year

Family reasons

53%

School grades or performance

43%

Demands of school work

38%

Problems with peers or friends

37%

Argument or breakup with a partner/girlfriend/boyfriend

20%

Social Media

17%

Being bullied

16%

School discipline or punishment

13%

Dating violence

5%

Drugs or alcohol

4%

Other

36%

POWERED BY THE GIRL SCOUT COUNCILS SERVING THE STATE OF GEORGIA 49