This Month, Let's Help Give Our Girls The Power!

Girl Power! Still in it's first phase! Focusing on encouraging the girls in your life to be strong, successful and confident! This national public education campaign, sponsored by The Department of Health and Human Services is aimed at 9 to 14 year old girls, giving them health messages, ideas, and support of all kinds that enables them to make the most of their lives. Girls between the ages of 8 and 10 have very strong attitudes and great values about their personal health, interests, and needs. Girl Power seeks to reinforce those needs and values, because this is an age where the results of their endeavors really depend for many of our girls, and their self-confidence and self-worth becomes highly vulnerable to outside influences. Many times, girls of these ages tend to become neglectful of their dreams and aspirations, less active physically, and forget their own interests. This is a truly important time in a girls life for adults to step in and let them know that they are never alone, truly loved, and strongly supported. Help them to build confidence by leading them to develop new skills and knowledge! By doing this, you automatically lower the risk that they will become involved in "high risk" activities that will contribute to whether or not they achieve their successes and potential in life! The first phase of this campaign focuses on the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and drugs. Future phases will address mental health, premature sexual activity, nutrition, and physical activity, amongst other important issues. To encourage "Girl Power!" for the girls in your life, whether your daughters, granddaughters, sisters, nieces, or any other young girls, the following are helpful basic steps: 1. Believe in their abilities and dreams! 2. Encourage them to express opinions and feelings in healthy ways, rather than turning to "risky" behaviors of any sort. 3. Talk with them and listen to them! 4. Show them that you respect them as individuals and care about their views. 5. Help them to understand that alcohol, tobacco and drugs are dangerous. 6. Make sure you are very clear about your "no use" expectations! 7. Help them learn the necessary "tools" to resist peer pressure. 8. Help teach them how to handle themselves in "awkward" and possibly dangerous situations. 9. Get involved in their education!

Be Sure To Visit These Sites:

For Girls Who Want To Know More: http://www.health.org/gpower/girlarea/in...

For Adults Who Care About Girls: http://www.health.org/gpower/AdultsWhoCa...

Because you are an adult who cares, take it upon yourself to learn more about the Girl Power! Campaign. Please become a firm supporter in your community! Call (National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information) 1-800-729-6686, to ask how you can help support this ongoing campaign. You can request a free kit as well! Our Girls Need Us!

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