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Girl Scout Gold Award Project Helps Jefferson County Teens Access Mental Health Resources
In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is highlighting Gold Award Girl Scout Kristiana Valencia, a 2026 graduate of Hillsboro High School, for her work to expand mental health awareness and resources for teens in Jefferson County.
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouting and is earned by Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts who create lasting solutions to issues they care about. To earn the award, Girl Scouts identify a challenge in their community, investigate its root causes, build a team and lead a sustainable project that creates measurable change. Through the process, they strengthen their leadership, problem-solving, communication and project management skills while making a meaningful difference in their communities and beyond.
For her Gold Award project, Kristiana created #AllAroundAtlas, a peer-focused initiative that encourages teens to talk openly about mental health, learn healthy coping skills and connect with free local support through Atlas.
Kristiana developed the project after recognizing that many teens lack access to therapy or other mental health services. Some families may face financial barriers or may not know how to support a young person experiencing depression, anxiety or other mental health challenges. Stigma can also prevent teens from discussing what they are experiencing or asking for help.
“Not enough teenagers talk about the problems or the solutions,” Kristiana said. “Some teenagers are not comfortable talking to adults or people they don’t know. It’s up to teens to help other teens, and not enough of that is happening.”
Through #AllAroundAtlas, Kristiana used Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook to share coping strategies, mental health information and opportunities to access Atlas’ free group services. She also provided parents with information about warning signs and resources that could help them better understand and support their teens.
Kristiana expanded the project beyond social media through classroom presentations, community meetings, educational sessions and direct outreach. She also worked with a team to design posters featuring mental health information, coping skills and a QR code connecting students with Atlas services. The posters were displayed in six schools throughout Jefferson County.
“My favorite part of my project was my posters I designed and being able to hang them up in six schools all over Jefferson County,” Kristiana said. “I also really enjoyed talking to the public about my project, how important mental health is and the coping skills we all have within us.”
Her project was designed to reach teens who need healthy coping strategies, parents looking for ways to support their children, friends who want to better understand what their peers may be experiencing and school administrators seeking resources for students.
“The best part of my project was being able to see the light on teens’ faces when they found out they’re not alone and are going through the same thing as other teens,” Kristiana said.
The impact of #AllAroundAtlas will continue beyond Kristiana’s direct involvement. The school posters and their QR codes will remain available to future students, and the project’s social media posts will continue connecting audiences with information and resources. Atlas has also agreed to continue using the hashtag in its work and on promotional materials at conferences.
As another lasting component of the project, participating teens created canvases representing coping skills they use. The artwork will remain on display at Atlas, where it can encourage other young people to reflect on and share their own healthy coping strategies. Kristiana also created a ceiling tile artwork piece that will remain on display at Hillsboro High School.
During Suicide Prevention Month, Kristiana’s Gold Award project demonstrates the difference young people can make by opening important conversations, challenging stigma and helping their peers understand that they are not alone and support is available.
To learn more about the Girl Scout Highest Awards and how Girl Scouts are creating lasting change in their communities, visit girlscoutsem.org/highestawards.
