PULSE is a community dedicated to empowering teens to build emotional strength, social connection, and confidence through guided peer coaching and community—bridging the gap for mental wellness support. We believe that every young person deserves to feel seen, supported, and strong - both internally and in community. We strive for a world where every teen has access to safe, relatable, and evidence-informed peer support to thrive socially and emotionally.
Through small group programs and peer mentorship, PULSE provides a safe, uplifting space where teens can share experiences, learn mental wellness skills, and grow together. Our approach blends social-emotional learning, mindfulness, and leadership development to help participants build resilience, self-worth, and meaningful friendships.
We know teens today are struggling:
- 1 in 3 teens report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness (CDC, 2023)
- 61% of teens say they feel lonely often or sometimes
- Therapy waitlists are long, and many families can’t afford consistent counseling
- Teens often turn to online spaces that lack safety, structure, or support
Given we are pediatrician founded, we bring clinical trust, ethical credibility, and direct access to youth and parents—positioning this community as the trusted middle ground between therapy and social media.
Currently Available Communities
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PULSE for Teen Girls: Empowering Teen Girls to Thrive
A Community for Confidence, Connection, and Purpose
Mission
PULSE empowers teen girls (grades 9-12) to cultivate self-worth, confidence, and resilience. Through creative expression, mentorship, and community connection, we help girls transform loneliness, anxiety, and perfection-seeking into authenticity, courage, and joy.
The Challenge
Teen girls today face growing mental health challenges rooted in social comparison, performance pressure, and isolation. Many feel disconnected, anxious, or “never enough.” Without supportive spaces to build confidence and connection, their potential for growth and leadership is often limited.
Our Solution
PULSE is a hybrid wellness and social enterprise program designed to create belonging, build emotional strength, and develop leadership skills in teen girls.
Core Components:
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Real Talk Circles – Safe, facilitated peer sessions focused on self-esteem, managing anxiety, confidence, social media stress, friendship challenges, body image, academic and perfectionism pressures, etc. These Real Talk Circles are facilitated by Dr. Madeleine Gagnon, board-certified pediatrician.
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Peer Mentorship – Teens mentor each other, modeling confidence and leadership.
Social Impact Goals
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Reduce Loneliness: One in 6 people worldwide are affected by loneliness, and the percentage is highest among 13- to 17-year-olds (20.9%), according to the latest report by the World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Connection. (Source: Education Week)
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Reduce Anxiety: 20% of teens ages 12-17 years reported symptoms of anxiety in the past two weeks (Source: Education Week)
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Boost Confidence: The Girls’ Index survey reveals girls as young as 10 struggle with self-confidence, question their abilities and intelligence, and consume social media at unprecedented rates. (Source: Business Wire)
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Empower Leadership: A global study by Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and Plan International surveyed nearly 10,000 girls and young women (in 19 countries) and found that 76% of them aspire to be a leader in their country, community or career. (Source: Geena Davis Institute)
Logistics
PULSE community will meet virtually eight (8) times on Zoom weekly in closed meetings (meaning only for those enrolled). This program will be held on Tuesdays at 7pm from January 6th, 2026 to February 24th, 2026.
Enrollment
To enroll in PULSE for Teen Girls, please complete step 1 and step 2 below. There is limited availability for this program so please enroll as soon as possible. Enrollment will close on November 24th, 2024. Enrollment is $120 for this program. Tuition assistance / scholarships are available.
Facilitator
Madeleine Gagnon, MD
Email: maddyg@bridgecl.org
Mobile: 715.410.0638
PULSE community does not provide crisis support.
Dial 988 for Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Dial 911 for medical emergencies