

About Us!



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 pediatrician facilitated 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. Our small groups are co-facilitated by a GenZ College Ambassadors. The lived experiences of our College Ambassadors empowers high school teens with advice that actually resonates—because it comes from people who’ve been there, and are still living it.
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 and GenZ College Ambassador facilitated, 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: Free Pilot Virtual Community
Free Pilot Community for Confidence, Connection, and Purpose
PULSE for Teens
Let’s talk


Mission
PULSE empowers high school teens (grades 9-12) to cultivate self-worth, confidence, and resilience. Through creative expression, mentorship, and community connection, we help teens transform loneliness, anxiety, and insecurities into authenticity, courage, and confidence.
The Challenge
Teens today face growing wellbeing 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 social initiative that hosts weekly virtual meetups where teens can have genuine conversations about the issues that really matter in their lives. It's an opportunity to build connection, develop emotional skills, support one another in a safe, structured environment, and foster leadership skills.
Core Components of PULSE Real Talk Circles:
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Safe, facilitated peer sessions focused on self-esteem, managing anxiety, confidence, social media stress, friendship challenges, academic and perfectionism pressures, etc.
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Teens mentor each other, modeling confidence and leadership.
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Real Talk Circles are facilitated by Dr. Madeleine Gagnon, board-certified pediatrician, to ensure safety and quality content.
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Real Talk Circles may be co-facilitated by PULSE GenZ College Ambassadors. The role of our College Ambassadors is to help high school teens discover their voice, strengthen their resilience, and step confidently into who they are becoming
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, 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
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Empower Leadership & Communication Skills
Logistics
PULSE community will launch it's eight (8) week Real Talk Circles pilot on January 6th, 2026.
Meetings (aka: Real Talk Circles) will be held Tuesdays at 7pm CST online.
These are closed meetings--meaning only for teens who have been formally enrolled with guardian permission as per below.
Enrollment
To enroll in this pilot community of PULSE, please complete the Enrollment form below (scroll to below). After enrollment, a member of our team will contact you. Zoom link will be shared after enrollment process is complete. All enrollment information will be kept confidential.
Meet Adele
PULSE High School Champion
“PULSE creates a space where teens can be honest about what they’re dealing with and feel supported instead of judged. Community connection helps us handle pressure, build confidence, and know we aren’t alone.”
- Adele

GenZ College Ambassadors
PULSE partners with a team of Gen Z College Ambassadors who bring real, relatable insight to every conversation. By bridging the age-relevancy gap, they offer honest guidance on navigating insecurities, building leadership skills, and growing authentic confidence. Their lived experiences empower high school teens with advice that actually resonates—because it comes from people who’ve been there, and are still living it.
Meet Dr. Gagnon
Madeleine Gagnon, MD is a board certified pediatrician and the founder and facilitator of this pilot teen community.
Please contact her with questions or concerns.
Email: maddyg@bridgecl.org
Phone: 715-410-0638

PULSE Teen Enrollment Form
Join Us!
All information is kept confidential.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
1 / Is this community specifically for high school students, middle school students, or both?
Currently, this community is exclusively for high school students...but we look forward to potentially expanding to middle schoolers in the future.
2 / Are there mental health professional involved to consult with, if needed?
Yes, PULSE is able to share information of local psychiatrists and therapy practices in our community, if needed.
3 / How are GenZ College Ambassadors selected? And, do they have a background check?
The college ambassadors are college students who are pre-healthcare in their studies and are professionally known to Dr. Gagnon by way of mentoring, clinical shadowing, and/or employment in the affiliated homecare company. The College Ambassadors do not have a background checked as they are working with teens virtually and always supervised by Dr. Gagnon.
4 / Are teens required to keep their cameras on during the Real Talk Circles?
Yes, we prefer cameras are on so to best foster community and connection. It is also important to have the camera on to verify the teens identity.
5 / Do the Real Talk Circles have guided topics each week?
Yes, there will be a topic per week that helps to spark conversation and center the discussion. Examples of topcis are below:
Stress, Anxiety & Coping Skills
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Healthy vs. unhealthy stress
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Tools for navigating anxiety in school, sports, and friendship
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Grounding exercises (breathing, sensory resets, mindfulness)
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How to create a personal “calm plan”
Building Real Confidence
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What confidence actually is
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Overcoming self-doubt and imposter feelings
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How to step into leadership in small, everyday ways
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Practicing growth mindset
Navigating Friendships & Social Dynamics
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Making friends when it feels hard
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How to handle drama, exclusion, or misunderstandings
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Maintaining healthy boundaries
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What real support looks like in teen relationships
PULSE does not provide crisis support.
Dial 988 for Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Dial 911 for medical emergencies




















