Congratulations, Jada on earning your Gold Award!  GSSEM is proud of you and your dedication to making a positive impact on your community and beyond. 

Project: Be Mindful  

There is nothing wrong with needing and asking for mental health help, believes Jada Smith. Yet she had noticed hesitation on the part of Blacks to even talk about the issue within their community.

For her Gold Award project, Jada planned and hosted an educational workshop and open panel discussion featuring guest speakers at the Berkley Library.

“I wanted students and adults to know about the historical roots of mental-health stigma in the Black community,” she said.   

The workshop addressed the historical and cultural factors that have contributed to silence surrounding mental health, including generational trauma, systemic racism, and longstanding mistrust of healthcare systems, Jada explained.

Continuing knowledge

Jada also developed comprehensive binder containing all workshop materials, including mental health resources, historical information, coping strategies, and contact information for support services.

She distributed three binders to teachers, counselors, and her high school support staff so the information remains available to those needing help.   

Attendees left with a clearer understanding of how these barriers affect help-seeking behaviors and overall well-being.

“Most significantly, the workshop fostered a shift in attitudes,” Jada noted. “It challenged harmful stereotypes and normalized open discussions about mental health. Participants were encouraged to view seeking support as a sign of strength rather than weakness.”

Learn more!

Jada chats about her Gold Award project on GSSEM’s YouTube channel.

Find out more about Girl Scout Highest Awards on our website at www.gssem.org/highestawards.