Michael Ungar, Ph.D. Killam Professor, School of Social Work, Dalhousie University Nurturing the Hidden Resilience of Troubled Children and Youth Across Cultures and Contexts

Exercise One (Part 1): Changing our focus In pairs, please discuss a “difficult” child with whom you work (or know) Share information about the child’s problems and risks she/he faces (please change identifying information) Now, please respond to the following questions:

Exercise One (Part 2): Changing our focus What personal and social/economic/political resources are realistically accessible to this child/family? Given the context in which the child lives how is he or she doing when compared with other youth in similar circumstances? Given the child’s strengths and access to resources in his/her family and community, how does the child cope (sustain well- being)?

In the context of exposure to significant adversity resilience is the capacity of individuals to navigate their way to the psychological, social, cultural, and physical resources that sustain their well being, and… their capacity individually and in groups to negotiate for these resources to be provided… in culturally meaningful ways. Resilience is…

Individuals, Families and Communities Navigation and Negotiation © Michael Ungar, Ph.D.

Individuals, Families and Communities Navigation and Negotiation © Michael Ungar, Ph.D. Seven Tensions Relationships Identity Power and Control Social Justice Access to Material Resources Cohesion Cultural Adherence

Individuals, Families and Communities Navigation and Negotiation © Michael Ungar, Ph.D. Seven Tensions Resources Meaning CultureContext

Individuals, Families and Communities Navigation and Negotiation © Michael Ungar, Ph.D. Seven Tensions Resources Meaning CultureContext Navigation Negotiation

Intervention

Principles for a Social Ecological Approach (S.E.A.) to Growth and Change: Clinical and Community Practice to Nurture Resilience

cultural adherence relationships identity power & control social justice access to material resources cohesion Seven “Tensions” to be Resolved

Loser Charity case Brat Stupid Victim Slut Drop-out Thief Little f—er Labels given to High-risk Youth by community/families

Labels given to High-risk Youth by professionals Conduct disordered Parentified A.D.H.D Depressed Suicidal Borderline Antisocial Bi-polar Emotionally disturbed Dysfunctional Resistant Lacking impulse control Difficult

Labels High-risk Youth prefer Leader Tough Gang member Dealer Sexy Survivor Stud Street kid Helper Drinker Fighter

Exercise Weaving a life

1.Be multi-level, ecologically complex in their delivery 2.Be coordinated, challenging the barriers created by service silos 3.Emphasize continuity over time, in both the seamless delivery of multiple services and the engagement of staff with the individuals they serve Six Principles of Service Design

4.Be negotiated, with services matched to people's cultures and contexts 5.Be designed along a continuum from least to most intrusive 6.Be effective, whether that effectiveness is demonstrated based on practice based evidence or rigorous evaluation of manualized interventions Six Principles (cont.)

Pathways to Education North-West High Aquarelle Angel’s Nest Indian orphanage

Individually Focused Interventions… Very Uncool!

Contextually relevant interventions… Very Cool!

Michael Ungar, Ph.D. Killam Professor, School of Social Work, Dalhousie University Thank You!