When It Comes to Mental Health: Our Girls Are Not Okay

In August, the CDC quietly published a report that rattled parents like me. It found that nearly 13% of teen girls attempted suicide in the past year, a rate more than double that of boys. Alarmingly, 39% of girls reported poor mental health in the past 30 days, compared to 19% of boys. These statistics illuminate the fact that girls face a heightened risk of mental health challenges, driven by unique pressures and evolving societal expectations.

Fort Health recently convened a panel of clinical experts to explore this concerning phenomenon. Leading voices - Lindsay Henderson, PsyD child psychologist and clinical director, Fort Health,? Omar Gudino , child psychologist, deputy clinical director, Child Mind Institute , and Dr. Dionne Smith Coker-Appiah , associate professor in the department of psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine —joined the discussion, moderated by Shai Idelson .? They sketched a portrait of the modern adolescent girl, grappling with challenges both familiar and disturbingly new.? While adolescents have always faced anxieties, today’s landscape is uniquely challenging, shaped by earlier puberty, academic pressures, trauma, and pervasive social media exposure.

As a mother of a daughter, this session felt both familiar and eye-opening. The stories, statistics, and insights all hit close to home, reminding me that parenting isn’t about shielding my daughter from life’s challenges but helping her develop the tools to face them. Listening to the panel’s discussion, I was struck by the importance of creating a foundation of open communication, calm reassurance, and resilience-building practices within the family.? As parents, we should actively listen to and encourage our children, recognizing and validating their unique experiences without rushing to fix or correct.?

We were happy that so many tuned in - 1046 unique viewers - and only wish we could have gotten to answer all 143 questions! Here are three important takeaways:?

1. The Modern Strain: Earlier Puberty: Girls today are entering puberty years earlier than previous generations, facing body changes and emotional surges at a time when they lack the social and emotional tools to cope. Where this transition once typically began around age 15, it now often starts at 11 or 12. Dr. Henderson noted that these early changes introduce girls to heightened stress and sensitivity before their self-identity fully forms, creating a challenging emotional landscape.
2. The Double-Edged Sword of Academic Pressure: For girls, academic success has become another source of strain. Dr. Henderson pointed out that girls often outperform boys academically and face immense pressure to maintain high standards. Dr. Coker-Appiah described this as a “double-edged sword”—they excel, yet the mental load accumulates, contributing to chronic stress and burnout. This isn’t just about grades; it’s about striving to meet academic, social, and physical ideals—amplified by social media—which can distort perceptions of success and worth.
3. Trauma as a Silent Saboteur: Trauma significantly impacts many girls’ lives, often shaping their worldview in subtle but damaging ways. Dr. Coker-Appiah, a trauma expert, noted that girls are more likely to experience intimate and insidious forms of trauma, such as emotional and sexual abuse, bullying, and dating violence. Cultural pressures to be “strong” and avoid vulnerability often lead girls to internalize distress, which compounds trauma’s effects. This internalization frequently results in untreated depression, anxiety, and isolation.

So, how do you know whether your daughter is experiencing the normal drama of growing up, or facing a mental health challenge that needs to be treated? We asked our clinical experts what to look out for and they offered these four recommendations:

1. Recognizing Depression: Subtle and Internal Signs: Unlike externalizing disorders, depression in girls is often invisible. Dr. Guadino explained that girls tend to internalize their distress, making it difficult for teachers, caregivers, and parents to detect. Depression may appear as irritability, academic decline, or social withdrawal—signs easily dismissed as “typical teenage behavior” but which often signal deeper struggles. Dr. Coker-Appiah told us to look out for a change in patterns. Sleep patterns. Are they experiencing insomnia?? Social patterns.? Are they suddenly socially withdrawing from family and friends?? Academic patterns.? Are they now in academic decline? When a young person is experiencing depression it impacts their ability to focus and concentrate and they may engage in risk taking behaviors like substance abuse and risky sexual behavior.
2. Building Resilience Through Daily Habits: There is no single solution to improving adolescent mental health, but consistent routines can help. Dr. Coker-Appiah emphasized that regular sleep schedules, balanced diets, and physical activity are crucial. These habits aren’t just boxes to tick; they help build a foundation of self-care that supports resilience. Furthermore, open communication is key. Dr. Henderson urged parents to “listen more than they talk,” creating a safe space where daughters feel heard and validated.
3. Finding the Right Support: The panel discussed various therapeutic supports, including virtual care, which provides accessible options for moderate-to-severe mental health needs. Virtual therapy offers flexibility, fitting into adolescents’ digital lives while meeting them where they are. Dr. Guadino noted that therapy is most effective when it’s a dialogue—a partnership between the adolescent, their family, and care providers, adaptable to meet the unique needs of each individual.
4. Medication: A Nuanced Tool: Medication for depression is not a cure-all but can be a valuable tool. Dr. Coker-Appiah explained that medication is considered when symptoms are severe or resistant to other therapies. Antidepressant prescriptions for adolescent girls have increased, indicating both the scope of the crisis and a recognition that medication can stabilize those in acute need. However, medication should be paired with therapy and overseen by a collaborative team that includes the family, pediatrician, and mental health professionals.

We don’t have to navigate this journey alone. The pressures facing today’s girls are multifaceted, and it’s crucial to build a support system that includes mental health resources, schools prioritizing wellness, and healthcare providers who recognize the signs of mental health challenges early. Organizations like Fort Health, along with proactive strategies, provide a valuable village of support, enabling parents, professionals, and communities to work together in fostering resilience and helping girls navigate their unique paths.