My name is Sophia Siders, I am a17-year-old in Howell, MI working on my Girl Scout Gold Award. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, earned by Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts (grades 9–12) who demonstrate extraordinary leadership by creating sustainable, measurable, and lasting solutions to community issues. Only about 5.4% of eligible Girl Scouts earn this prestigious award, and I am striving to be part of that group!

In recent years, Livingston County has experienced the tragic loss of several young people to suicide. These heartbreaking events highlight the critical importance of addressing mental health in all aspects of youth life. While schools and healthcare providers offer valuable mental health resources, there is often limited focus on the mental health needs of student-athletes. Balancing academics, athletics, social commitments, and personal expectations can create significant stress for young athletes. As an athlete myself, I have experienced these challenges firsthand. To help address this need, I created Sophia's SOS Bag (Stress & Ouch Supplies), a combined First Aid and Mental Wellness Kit designed specifically for student-athletes. These kits will be distributed to local athletic teams and provide resources that support both physical injuries and emotional well-being.

The goal of this project is to produce and distribute SOS Bags to Howell High School athletic teams, increasing awareness of the mental health challenges student-athletes face while providing practical tools that support emotional wellness and resilience. In addition, the project seeks to establish a sustainable program that can continue serving athletes for years to come. The initial objective is to provide 50 SOS Bags to Howell High School athletic teams. Looking ahead, if fundraising efforts exceed expectations, the program could expand to serve all Howell Public Schools athletic programs, local recreation leagues, and additional schools throughout Livingston County, allowing more student-athletes to benefit from these valuable resources and support.

Physical injuries are often visible and can be treated immediately. Stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm are not as easily recognized and do not have a quick solution. However, there are tools that can help athletes regulate emotions, reduce stress, and regain focus. The SOS Bag contains items that promote grounding, stress relief, and emotional wellness while also addressing common athletic first aid needs. By providing accessible resources, I hope to help athletes develop healthy coping strategies and encourage conversations about mental health in sports.

Support Sophia's SOS Bags