At a time when teen mental health is becoming a growing concern, one junior at the school is stepping forward with a mission: to create a safe space just for girls. Her new group, The Balancing Bridge Club, is designed to empower young women to find strength within themselves and in one another.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 3 in 5 teenage girls reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless in 2021, a rate almost double that of boys. It’s this alarming reality that inspired the student to act.
“The idea came from recognizing that so many girls struggle silently—with stress, anxiety, low self-worth, or simply feeling like they don’t belong,” junior Braelynn Wheeler said.. “Many don’t know how to talk about their mental health or feel isolated in their experiences.”
The Balancing Bridge Club is not just another after-school group; it is meant to be a support system. The club aims to create a safe space for open and honest conversations, while encouraging girls to develop confidence and leadership skills.
“In a world that often puts pressure on girls to be perfect, quiet, or pleasing, this club is here to remind them that they are allowed to be strong, honest, emotional, loud, quiet, healing, growing—and everything in between,” Wheeler said.
The decision to make the club girls-only is intentional. Studies show that girls are more likely than boys to experience body image issues, social stress, and self-esteem struggles. By creating a space tailored specifically to those challenges, the club hopes to provide understanding and connection.
“I know for me personally the academic struggles and stress of not being good enough is challenging,” Wheeler said. “That’s why I want girls to come together to uplift each other and support each other through these small but mighty battles we all face.”
Beyond conversations, the club has bigger goals. Its founder hopes members will walk away with not only stronger friendships but also confidence, leadership skills, and a greater understanding of mental wellness.
“Ultimately, the goal is to create a ripple effect—when one girl heals, grows, and finds her voice, she helps others do the same,” Wheeler said.
For many, The Balancing Bridge Club may become more than just a meeting space—it could be the foundation of a movement where girls learn to embrace themselves, support one another, and remind each other that they are never alone.
“We focus on: creating a safe space for open and honest conversations and empowering girls to support one another, develop self-confidence, and become leaders in their own lives and communities,” Wheeler said.
