Sophia's SOS Bag
Stress & Ouch Supplies 

Who am I ?

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!

 

What's the plan?

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.

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How do you put mental health in a box?

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.

 

What is included in the SOS Bag?

First Aid Supplies

• Bandages and basic first aid materials

• Hand wipes

• Hand sanitizer

• Lysol disinfectant spray for reusable items

Health & Wellness Supplies

• Glucose gel for athletes who experience diabetic or hypoglycemic episodes

• Electrolyte drink packets

Mental Health & Grounding Supplies

• Warmies® comfort items that provide soothing weight and scent

• Lavender essential oil calming inhalers

• Calm Strips®

• Fidget tools

• Disposable earplugs for noise reduction

• Encouraging messages and other grounding materials

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What guidance have I sought for this project?

To ensure this project is both effective and responsible, I have sought guidance and information from:

• Licensed psychologists

• Licensed clinical social workers

• Nurse practitioners

• Registered nurses

• Coaches

• Student-athletes

I have also conducted extensive research through organizations such as:

• American Red Cross

• Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA)

• USA Swimming

• Various youth mental health organizations and resources

I am continuing to look for additional community partners to learn from.

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What am I learning through this project?

The Girl Scout Gold Award is intended to be a leadership development experience. Through this project, I am gaining valuable skills in:

• Public speaking

• Budgeting and purchasing

• Marketing and community outreach

• Fundraising

• Presentation design

• Canva and graphic design

• Website development

• Mental health advocacy

• Athletic program operations

• Leadership and community engagement

Most importantly, I am learning how to transform personal experiences and challenges into positive solutions that help others.

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​How can you help?

We are accepting monetary donations and other ways to help. Feel free to reach out to Love Dahlia who will connect you with me! lovedahliasiders@gmail.com. You can also send donations to my Girl Scout Troop 40689 at 1080 Gulley Rd, Howell, MI 48843​​

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Thank you to Love Dahlia for supporting me and my project!