When Charlotte Russell looked around her high school, she saw something many students were experiencing, but few were openly discussing: stress, anxiety and the pressure to be perfect.
Rather than accept it as part of student life, the Birmingham student decided to do something about it.
The result was a student-led wellness initiative that earned Russell, an Ambassador with Girl Scout Troop 71576, the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award — the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. Her project not only helped spark important conversations about mental health but also created resources that continue to support students today.
“Teen mental health is something that has really impacted my peers and my close friends,” says Russell, a recent graduate of Cranbrook Schools who will study psychology at the University of Michigan this fall. “I wanted to create an environment where people would feel more supported.”
Russell's inspiration came from personal experience. Like many high-achieving students, she felt the weight of demanding coursework, long nights studying and the pressure to excel. She also struggled with anxiety, ADHD and sleep deprivation while adapting to an academically rigorous environment.
“There were nights when my friends and I would spend three hours trying to solve one problem for a class,” she says. “I noticed our mental health was declining, and a lot of people were really suffering.”
As a sophomore, Russell sought special permission from school administrators to launch a Wellness Club. More than 100 students signed up, confirming what she already suspected: There was a strong need for mental health support on campus.
“That was the first time I realized I could make a difference right now,” she says. “You don't have to be an adult or hold a certain position to create change.”
Working closely with counselors, teachers and school leaders, Russell helped develop wellness workshops that addressed topics students identified as important. Sessions, led by school counselors, covered stress and time management, sleep, body image, self-confidence, healthy relationships, emotional wellness and supporting peers through difficult times. The workshops were eventually approved to count toward students’ activity-credit requirements, encouraging participation and helping normalize conversations about mental health.
Most importantly, the initiative continues today, even after Russell’s graduation.
Over time, surveys showed decreases in reported anxiety, depression and rule-breaking behaviors among participating students. But for Russell, some of the most meaningful feedback came directly from classmates. Students who participated in the workshops later approached her to share how much the program had helped them.
“Knowing that people were willing to tell me they had been impacted by it was really special,” she says.
Russell credits Girl Scouts with helping develop the leadership skills that made the project possible.
“Girl Scouts taught me leadership, self-expression and how to work with people,” she says. “Those skills definitely helped me bring this project to life.”
Russell hopes other young people remember one important message: There is no single definition of success, and no one should feel alone in their struggles.
“There's nothing wrong with you,” she says. “Everyone learns differently. Everyone grows differently. The important thing is to keep going and know that you're supported.”
“That was the first time I realized I could make a difference right now. You don't have to be an adult or hold a certain position to create change.”
— Charlotte Russell