Girl Scouts Unveil New “2025 Ohio: State of the Girl” Report
March 05, 2025
Girl Scouts Unveil New “2025 Ohio: State of the Girl” Report
Collaborative study by Ohio’s Girl Scout councils highlights mental health, social media and STEM challenges affecting girls statewide.
Columbus, OHIO - Girls in Ohio are facing increasingly complex challenges ranging from mental health struggles and cyberbullying to declining interest in STEM fields according to the 2025 Ohio: State of the Girl Report. The report is the result of a collaborative effort among Ohio’s four Girl Scout councils serving Ohio—Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland, Girl Scouts of Black Diamond, Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, and Girl Scouts of Western Ohio.
The University of Cincinnati Evaluation Services Center contributed secondary data for the report, which shed light on the most pressing challenges facing Ohio girls and offers actionable recommendations for improving their well-being and future success.
Key findings from the report reveal:
- A growing prevalence of mental health struggles: More than half of high school girls (56%) grades 9-12 reported feeling sad or hopeless in 2021, and 15% reported attempting suicide—nearly four times the rate of boys. In 2022, 31% of Ohio girls experienced difficulty accessing mental health treatment or counseling and 8% reported being unable to obtain care.
- The impact of cyberbullying and extended social media use: Ohio girls experienced bullying and cyberbullying at significantly higher rates than boys. In 2021, 51% of Ohio middle school girls and 28% of high school girls reported being bullied online. Older teens are particularly affected given their frequent use of social media.
- Challenges to their physical wellbeing. In 2021, 18% of high school girls (grades 9-12) reported experiencing sexual dating violence, an alarming 64% increase since 2019.
- Academic barriers to success: Chronic absenteeism affected more than a quarter (27%) of K-12 students during the 2022-2023 school year, with poor attendance linked to lower academic achievement, increased health risks, and reduced long-term success.
- Opportunities to reignite interest in STEM and leadership programs: STEM careers continue to grow in Ohio, but women remain underrepresented in these fields. The report highlights the need for early and consistent exposure to STEM programs, as girls’ interest in science often declines starting at age 11.
"This report reflects the combined efforts of Girl Scout councils in Ohio to elevate the voices of girls and ensure that their needs are heard across communities statewide," said Tammy Wharton, President and CEO of Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland. "We believe that this report will inspire community-driven solutions and investments to support Ohio girls through mental health resources, leadership opportunities, and STEM engagement, because our girls deserve better."
The report underscores the importance of organized activities, such as Girl Scouts, in helping girls develop confidence, resilience and leadership skills. In addition to the health and developmental benefits of social engagement, research shows that participation in structured, supportive programs can positively influence girls’ moral, civic and developmental growth.
In addition, the report reinforces the impact of Girl Scout STEM programs.
- 75% of Girl Scouts in middle and high school participated in multiple STEM activities were interested in taking STEM classes in college, compared to only 50% among those who did not do STEM activities.
- 63% of Girl Scouts in middle and high school, who participated in multiple STEM activities aspire to a career in STEM, compared to only 43% among those who did not do STEM activities.
Last fall, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland amplified its commitment to STEM programs with the launch of the new AEP Ohio Foundation STEM Leadership Center and CK Construction Maker Space on the Battelle Science & Innovation Campus at Camp Ken-Jockety.
“Through Girl Scouts, we provide girls a safe space to explore their interests, take on challenges, and build the critical skills they need for the future,” said Wharton. “But addressing these challenges requires all of us to work together to reduce barriers and positively impact girls’ wellness. Our hope is that this report will serve as a credible source of data across Ohio communities that will generate new efforts, actions, and investments to improve the lives of girls across the state.”
The report details actionable recommendations for caregivers, youth program providers, schools and state policy makers including:
- Increasing girls’ access to positive, challenging activities and supportive adults, to build girls’ self-confidence and resilience at every stage of development. This includes efforts to increase girls’ interest in STEM careers by providing early and consistent encouragement and education.
- Addressing interpersonal aggression, including cyberbullying and dating violence, through prevention and support, to reduce its occurrence and the long-term impact on girls’ mental health.
- Providing access to mental health resources, including through programs, interventions, and licensed mental health services.
"I was generally aware that there was an issue with girls' mental health, but the reality of the hard-hitting numbers appalled me, perhaps because I'm an engineer and, to me, data speaks,” said Nancy Dawes, President of BEWEL, Buckeye Engineering Women in Executive Leadership, Co-Chair of Ohio: State of the Girl Report and long-time Girl Scout volunteer. “Girls (and women) are asked to step-up and be strong and courageous, and yes, as adults we need to help them do that. But we need the ecosystem around them -- policy makers, schools, youth organizations -- to courageously step-up and proactively address these issues."
The 2025 Ohio State of the Girl is available online, providing a detailed analysis of the issues affecting girls and offering recommendations for those seeking to support girls in Ohio. To access the full report and learn more, visit https://ohiogirlreport.org/
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Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them.
Media Contacts:
Kevin Ronnebaum – Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland
P: 614-309-0300
E: kronnebaum@gsoh.org
KayAnn Rutter – Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
P: 614-477-7246
E: KayAnnRutter@gswo.org
Girl Scouts of North East Ohio
P: 330-604-3385
E: jchristyson@gsneo.org
Joelle Gates – Girl Scouts of Black Diamond
E: joelle.gates@bdgsc.org
Michelle Bretscher
P: 614-499-0889
E: michelle@mtbmkt.com
Melissa Rapp
P: 614-428-7277
E: melissarappPR@gmail.com
