Support Mental Health Week by Becoming a Big Sister
May 7 to 13 is Mental Health Week. Will you support the cause by becoming a Big Sister?
Mentoring has a powerful impact on the lives and mental health of kids. Research conducted by the Boston Consulting Group shows that adult women who had a mentor as a child are two times less likely to be depressed and three times less likely to have social anxiety.
Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland provides supportive mentoring relationships to young girls facing challenges like depression, anxiety, bullying, isolation, poverty, abuse, social anxiety, low self-esteem, and more.
Their research also showed that girls who have a positive mentor are less likely to engage in destructive behaviour such as bullying, fighting, binge drinking, drug use and dropping out of school.
When 70% of mental health problems have their onset during childhood or adolescence, it’s important to give kids a positive mentor to improve their health and well-being at a time when they need it most, which ultimately sets them up for a healthy future.
With almost half of Canadians affected by mental illness, it’s time we get loud about mental health. We need to do our part and help young girls grow up to be confident, happy, and as courageous as ever.
We can’t do this alone. We need your help. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, we encourage you to apply today. Your mentorship will improve a young girl’s outlook not only on herself, but on the possibilities for her future too.