A new report is raising concerns about mental health among girls in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation just released its study examining the status of girls in New Hampshire, focusing on factors such as education, economics, substance abuse and safety. As far as mental health goes, the results were alarming. More than half of girls in New Hampshire reported experiencing depression. One in three girls has thought about ending her life. Data in the State of the Girls report goes back to 2021.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<"In the fall of 2021, what were our kids doing?" said Susan Stearns, executive director of NAMI-New Hampshire. "They were going back to school after a very long time in isolation and we know that for anyone, isolation is not healthy." Experts said boys are less likely to report mental health concerns. But Devan Quinn, director of policy for the New Hampshire Women's Foundation, said attention to girls is so important because they are more likely to experience issues that negatively impact mental health."We know that trauma and family instability, but also sexual and dating violence affects mental health," Quinn said. "We know that bullying, especially cyberbullying, is higher among girls." The numbers are even higher high for LGBTQ+ girls and people of color." The reality is we know our society is still unequal," Stearns said. Quinn said the report should be a call to action for New Hampshire lawmakers. "Let your legislators, your elected representatives know at the top and across the board of school," she said. "Let teachers know that your family cares about girls' mental health." While the results in the report are troubling, Quinn said they should be used to help everyone understand what kind of support they need. girls and lead the conversation about mental health education.
A new report is raising concerns about mental health among girls in New Hampshire.
The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation just released its study examining the status of girls in New Hampshire, focusing on factors such as education, economics, substance abuse and safety.
In terms of mental health, the results were alarming. More than half of girls in New Hampshire reported experiencing depression. One in three girls has thought about ending her life.
The data in the “Status of Girls” report date back to 2021.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <
“In the fall of 2021, what were our children doing?” said Susan Stearns, executive director of NAMI-New Hampshire. “They were going back to school after a very long time of isolation and we know that for no one, isolation is not healthy.”
Experts said boys are less likely to report mental health concerns. But Devan Quinn, director of policy for the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation, said attention to girls is so important because they are more likely to experience issues that negatively impact mental health.
“We know that trauma and family instability, but also particularly sexual and dating violence, affects mental health and it’s higher in girls,” Quinn said. “We know that bullying, especially online bullying, is higher among girls.”
The numbers are even higher for LGBTQ+ girls and people of color.
“The reality is that we know our society is not yet equal,” Stearns said.
Quinn said the report should be a call to action for New Hampshire lawmakers.
“Let your legislators, your elected representatives know at the top and at the school board,” she said. “Let the teachers know that your family cares about the girls’ mental health.”
While the results in the report are troubling, Quinn said they should be used to help everyone understand what kind of support girls need and guide the conversation about mental health education.
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