Building Positive Peer Relationships
Tools and Resources for Girls
Based on the 2025 Indiana Girl Report, including interviews with 91 girls across Indiana and perspectives from 130 caregivers and youth professionals.
What Girls Need
Indiana girls are clear about what they value in friendships: authentic connections where they can be themselves without judgment. They prioritize quality over quantity and want spaces where they feel safe to grow.
"I have a good amount of friends, but I value quality over quantity."
— Girl Scout Troop 32
"We can be ourselves and not worry about people judging us."
— Girl, Southwest Indiana
Girls also told us they want adults who understand their world without trying to control everything, and who provide guidance when asked, rather than automatically trying to solve their problems.
"Understand boundaries of what we want help with and what we don't want help with." — Girl Scout Troop 32
Resources and Support
For Girls: Building and Maintaining Healthy Friendships
Girl Scouts Mental Wellness Patch Program Learn practical skills for identifying emotions, supporting struggling friends, and building resilience. Developed in partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Key Skills to Practice:
Green Flags in Friendships
Friends who support your other relationships, respect when you say no, and make you feel good about yourself
Red Flags to Notice
Friends who pressure you, talk about you behind your back, or make you feel like you have to change who you are
When to Get Adult Help
If friend struggles feel too big to handle alone, involving a trusted adult isn’t giving up—it’s getting better help
NAMI: How to Talk to My Friends Guidance on sharing personal struggles while protecting your privacy and supporting friends effectively.
From Bystander to Upstander Learn safe ways to intervene when witnessing bullying, including videos and practical strategies for questioning harmful behavior and supporting targeted students.
For Adults: Supporting Girls' Social Development
Conversation Starters That Work:
"What made you feel most supported by friends this week?"
"Who in your friend group makes you feel most like yourself?"
"Was there a moment when a friendship felt complicated or confusing?"
Search Institute: Approaches to Expressing Care
Evidence-based strategies for building trust with young people through everyday actions that show you value them.
What Girls Want from Adults:
Listen without immediately trying to solve problems
Understand the boundaries they set about when they want help
Respect their need for independence while being available for guidance
Crisis and Mental Health Resources
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
For more information and additional resources, see the full 2025 Indiana Girl Report.