Girl Guides in Ottawa came to Parliament Hill to celebrate the launch of Mighty Minds, our new mental health program. Girls had the chance to try some of the activities from the program, while meeting Members of Parliament, Senators and the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women (top right).

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau – a gender equality activist, public speaker, devoted mother of three and wife of the Prime Minister – lent her support to Guiding and the Mighty Minds program by sharing this letter with girls at the event:

It is with great happiness  that I welcome the beautiful and courageous Girl Guides to tonight’s launch of Mighty Minds. I wish I could be there with you to share stories and learn together.

I believe that mental  health is the pulse of our society. Our  mental wellbeing affects us all, and by addressing  the stigma and engaging with each other, we can ensure that no one feels like they are without support.  For me, the key to a healthier mind is rooted  in balance, based on self-care and self-love. We have to celebrate our differences  and surround  ourselves  with compassionate  and positive friends who help us thrive. We are truly at our best when our personalities shine through.

I am always deeply inspired by women and girls like yourselves who want to grow and work together,  as well learn from one another.  Your inspirational actions are all the more powerful in a world that craves unity and harmony.

You girls are already your own  guides. Your inner compass  is developing  through  this wonderful  organization,  a group  based  on  the values of strength  from  compassion,  empathy,  knowledge, and  courage. The  leadership  you display every day makes me proud and it makes Canadians proud.

I am raising my daughter, Ella-Grace,  to have a deep sense of who she is and what she stands for. I am teaching and inspiring her to love and care for herself, and I already see that she has a strong sense of self. My hope is that she surrounds herself with other  girls who love themselves and speak kindly about each other, girls like yourselves who support and see the good in others.

Remember  that we carry you in our  hearts and  that we trust that you will lead a generation  of girls to guide and build bridges between  us that soar over  our differences. As you continue  along this journey, may you laugh, cry, discover, and live fully. The reality is that we do not always have it all together, but if we stick together, we have it all.

With all my love and friendship, I welcome you to tonight’s launch of Mighty Minds.

• Sophie Grégoire Trudeau