Local Summit Arms Teen Girls Against Rising Mental Health Crisis

MEDIA, PA – March 23, 2026 – As alarming statistics reveal a persistent mental health crisis among adolescents, one Delaware Valley nonprofit is preparing to arm young women with the tools for resilience. Girls Spark has announced its 2026 Annual Summit, themed "Unstoppable," a full-day event designed to empower girls aged 11 to 18 by focusing on well-being, leadership, and courage. The summit will take place on Saturday, April 25, at Penn State Brandywine, offering a direct and proactive response to the challenges facing today's youth.

The event’s theme was not chosen lightly. It is a direct reaction to a stark reality highlighted by recent data showing that 45% of high school girls in Pennsylvania report feeling sad or depressed. This figure, while jarring, reflects a broader national trend. According to the CDC's 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 53% of female high school students nationwide experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. The summit aims to move beyond acknowledging these numbers and provide a tangible, supportive environment for change.

"We know girls in our community face real pressures on their mental health, their self-image, and their sense of belonging," said Laura Kasper, president of the board of Girls Spark. "We want them to understand that those challenges don't define them, and they are bigger than anything standing in their way."

A Toolkit for Building Resilience

The core of the "Unstoppable" summit is a series of dynamic, interactive workshops led by accomplished female leaders. The sessions are designed to equip attendees with practical life skills, covering a wide spectrum of topics essential for modern resilience. Workshops will address mental health strategies, financial literacy, building self-confidence, effective leadership, the importance of setting boundaries, and developing emotional fortitude.

Featured workshops include "How to Communicate, Set Boundaries, and Stay True to You," aimed at navigating complex high school friendships, and "Empowering Your Image from the Inside Out," which teaches that true confidence is an internal state. Another session, "Dream Big, Stay Grounded," will guide girls on how to pursue ambitious goals while maintaining balance and practicing self-care.

"Every single workshop we've curated comes back to the same core belief: that girls deserve space to figure out who they are and what they stand for," said Stormy Bell, executive director of Girls Spark. "We want them to leave with inspiration, a toolkit and a community."

Setting the tone for the day will be keynote speaker Melissa Rice, Ph.D., author of The Worry Shark and The People You Meet in Real Life. Dr. Rice, an assistant professor at Immaculata University and Director of Programming for the national mental health nonprofit CogWell, will deliver an address titled, "Unstoppable: You Are Stronger Than You Think." Drawing from her own journey with anxiety and finding connection, she aims to show the attendees that they are not alone in their struggles.

Fostering Community and Social Impact

Beyond the educational workshops, the summit is structured to foster a powerful sense of community and social responsibility. The day will feature a live DJ to create an energetic atmosphere and a vendor village showcasing local businesses and organizations that are committed to supporting and uplifting young women. This provides a platform for girls to connect with mentors and resources within their own community.

In a significant demonstration of its commitment to broader social issues, the summit will also host a collection drive for menstrual products. This initiative directly confronts the issue of period poverty, a challenge that affects an estimated one in four menstruating individuals with low incomes in the region. All donated products will benefit The Spot Period of No More Secrets Mind Body Spirit, a groundbreaking Philadelphia-based organization.

Founded by Lynette Medley and her daughter Nya McGlone, The Spot Period opened in 2021 as the nation's first menstrual hub, providing not only free products but also safe facilities, education, and advocacy. Having distributed over 6 million products to date, their work highlights the critical need for menstrual equity—a cause now being recognized at the state level, with Pennsylvania's recent budget allocating $3 million for free menstrual products in schools.

Ensuring Access for Every Girl

Central to the Girls Spark mission is ensuring that its programs are accessible to all, regardless of financial or logistical barriers. The organization has taken concrete steps to remove obstacles that might prevent a girl from attending. Admission is set at a nominal $10 fee, but the nonprofit emphatically states that no one will be turned away due to an inability to pay.

Furthermore, free transportation will be provided from designated locations in Delaware and Chester Counties to the Penn State Brandywine campus. All attendees will also receive a complimentary lunch and a swag bag, ensuring a fully supported and welcoming experience from start to finish.

Founded in 2018 with a "by girls, for girls" philosophy, Girls Spark has consistently demonstrated its impact. At previous summits, 95% of the 200 attendees reported leaving with increased confidence. By placing teen girls on its leadership board to guide its direction, the organization ensures its programming remains relevant and resonant. The "Unstoppable" summit represents the next step in this mission, creating a vital space for the next generation of women to claim their power, build community, and realize they are stronger than the challenges they face. Registration and volunteer information can be found on the organization's website.