1. Building resilience in children and young people

2. Resilient Children
“can resist adversity, cope with uncertainty and recover more successfully from traumatic events or episodes”
Newman, T (2002)

3. Resilience
Normal development under difficult circumstances. Relative good result despite experiences with situations that have been shown to carry substantial risk for the development of psychopathology (Rutter)
The human capacity to face, overcome and ultimately be strengthened and even transformed by life’s adversities and challenges... a complex relationship of psychological inner strengths and environmental social supports (Masten)

4. Resilience is…. …Ordinary magic...
In the minds, brains and bodies of children, in their families and relationships and in their communities
(Masten)

5. Resilience in the child
secure attachment experience
an outgoing temperament as an infant
good communication skills, sociability
planner, belief in control
humour
problem solving skills, positive attitude
experience of success and achievement
religious faith
capacity to reflect

6. Resilience in families
At least one good parent-child relationship
Affection
Clear, firm consistent discipline
Support for education
Supportive long term relationship/absence of severe discord

7. Resilience in communities
Wide supportive network
Good housing
High standard of living
High morale school with positive policies for behaviour, attitudes and anti-bullying
Schools with strong academic and non-academic opportunities
Range of sport/leisure activities
Anti-discriminatory practice

9. Young people should:
Have an adult they trust who helps them through life
Have support with getting the very basics in life, like food, clothing, transport and housing
Actually access activities, hobbies and sports
Have multiple opportunities to practise problem-solving at home, school and in the wider community
Feel safe, and be able to be themselves in their homes, schools and communities
Know how to calm themselves down and take charge of their feelings

10. Young people should: Know what they are good at, and are proud of it
Support other people, for example, through volunteering and peer mentoring
Be supported to understand what they need to do to build their own resilience and support other people in their communities to build theirs
Know that all adults in their lives are enabled to help ALL young people build resilience, at any time and in any place
Have help to map out a sense of future (hope and aspirations) and develop life skills

11. Young people tell us: Notice our distress Build relationships
Observe (with ears as well as eyes)
Be here for us emotionally
Create a climate where we feel able to access resources
Reflect not react
Understand behaviour as communication

12. Be helpful Make information available Signpost
Be prepared to take the first step
Hang on in there – it might be a long and rocky ride
See the world from our perspective – it might look very different

13. Don’t treat all young people the same – they don’t all start from the same place
Early intervention – identify which young people are at greater risk of poorer outcomes (educational and otherwise) and target what you do to build them up alongside your universal resilience approaches for all
Combine simple, evidence-based activities/ideas and practise them consistently
Don’t give up on vulnerable young people, despite the challenges
Don’t give up on yourself as the adult that can help them to do better than you might have expected

14. YoungMinds Tel: 020 7089 5050 Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544
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