Changing Australia: Kritz Sciessere and empowering girls and young women

In this episode of Radio National Breakfast's 'Changing Australia,' host Chris interviews Kritz Sciessere, co-creator of The Big Sister Experience, a mental health and resilience program for young girls. Kritz, a former primary school teacher, shares her insights into the growing mental health challenges faced by female students, particularly the covert anxiety-driven behaviors that often go unnoticed compared to the more overt struggles of boys. She and her sister Bianca, also a teacher, founded the program after witnessing how peer pressure, family dynamics, and social media were impacting students' wellbeing. The Big Sister Experience focuses on building self-agency, adaptability, and sisterhood through relatable, early-intervention workshops in schools across Victoria and parts of New South Wales. Kritz emphasizes the importance of adult connection over fixing, the dangers of over-praise and helicopter parenting, and the need for meaningful alternatives when social media is restricted—especially for rural and isolated youth. She calls for parents and caregivers to prioritize emotional connection and safe spaces for conversation, recognizing that resilience is built through supported failure and authentic relationships.