Youth Mental Health with Bonnie Barczykowski, Christine Crawford, Dylan George & Isis Martinez | SXSW EDU 2025 Rewind

The U.S. Surgeon General has declared loneliness an epidemic, and its effects are being felt by our youngest generations. Last year, Girl Scouts of the USA released research showing that girls as young as five are experiencing loneliness, making it clear that this is not a challenge anyone can face alone. The solution requires a community effort from parents, educators, and organizations to build a network of support. It will truly take a village.

In this powerful session that addressed the youth mental health crisis head-on, Bonnie Barczykowski, Chief Executive Officer of Girls Scouts of the USA; was joined by Dr. Christine Crawford, medical director at the National Alliance on Mental Illness; Isis Martinez, board member of the Girl Scouts of Central Texas; and Dylan George, high school student and a Gold Award Girl Scout. Their session explores the role of community in combatting loneliness and the steps we can all take to empower girls.

An Amplified Crisis

While the pandemic certainly accelerated the issue, the youth mental health crisis has been underway. Dr. Crawford explained that girls were already struggling with anxiety and depression with insufficient access to support. The pandemic removed them from crucial peer connections and school resources while putting stress on the adults in their lives. This created a perfect storm whose effects we are still seeing today.

The Double-Edged Sword

Dylan George offered a firsthand perspective on the role of technology as a tool for communication for young people. She described social media as a “double-edged sword.” On one hand, it’s a primary form of communication for her generation, helping maintain friendships with busy schedules. On the other hand, it fuels a culture of comparison, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Taking a break from it can lead to even more isolation and fear of missing out, creating a complex challenge that kids face every day.

Building the Village

The core message of the session was that community is the antidote to loneliness. Isis Martinez shared how she intentionally sought after Girl Scouts to give her daughter a safe space to be herself. Girl Scouts offer a unique opportunity for girls to make friends, learn new skills without fear of failure, and join a community while being supported by trained and caring adults.

“I can be my most authentic and confident self and create the most change in my community when I’m putting my full self out there.”

Dylan George
Gold Award Girl Scout, Girl Scouts of the USA

Watch the full Keynote here to learn more about working together to support youth mental health:

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Photo by Tico Mendoza