In Part 1 of this series, I shared what so many of us are seeing firsthand—girls are struggling. The pressure to be perfect, the rise in loneliness, and the heavy emotional toll of growing up in today’s world are leading to unprecedented rates of sadness, anxiety, and self-doubt. And it’s starting younger than ever.

But here’s the good news: Prevention works.
And it’s more powerful than most people realize.

💡 What Is Prevention in Mental Health?

When we hear “mental health,” we often think of crisis response—therapy, diagnoses, or treatment plans. Those things matter deeply. But true mental wellness starts much earlier.

According to Voices for Virginia’s Children, prevention in schools looks like this:

• Programs that build coping skills

• Safe spaces where students feel seen and supported

• Opportunities for youth to connect, reflect, and grow socially and emotionally

These are called Tier 1 supports—universal strategies that benefit all students, not just those in visible distress.

And that’s exactly where Girls on the Run comes in.

🏃‍♀️ How Girls on the Run Delivers Tier 1 Support

At Girls on the Run, we use running games and group discussion to teach what every young person needs:

• How to manage strong emotions

• How to set boundaries

• How to resolve conflict

• How to make intentional decisions

• How to believe in their own worth

Our coaches don’t just supervise—they mentor, connect, and model emotionally healthy behavior. And our curriculum doesn’t just entertain—it’s built on research, structure, and heart.

Here’s what our most recent survey showed:

🧠 92% of girls said they learned skills to manage big feelings
💬 86% of caregivers said their child handles stress better
❤️ 98% of girls said they felt like they belonged

In a world where so many girls feel unseen or under pressure, belonging is prevention.

🧠 Prevention Is More Than a Buzzword—It’s a Lifeline

As school districts, lawmakers, and communities scramble to address the youth mental health crisis, we often hear, “We need more counselors. We need more therapists.” And we do.

But we also need programs like Girls on the Run—because we reach girls before they reach a breaking point.

Prevention is early.
Prevention is consistent.
Prevention is joyful.
Prevention is possible.

In Part 3, I’ll take you inside a season of Girls on the Run and show how our simple model is quietly transforming lives across Virginia—one girl, one coach, one finish line at a time.

Until then, thank you for caring about the mental health of our girls. They need us now more than ever.