1. Resiliency and Mental Wellness

2. Resilience
the ability to personally or professionally succeed despite adversity; coping effectively with difficulties that might otherwise lead to anxiety, depression, withdrawal, physical symptoms, or poor achievement
to rebound, or bounce back in the face of adversity; and to develop competence (social, academic, and vocational) despite exposure to severe stress or the challenges of everyday life

3. Resilience Social competence Problem solving skills Autonomy
Sense of purpose; optimism

4. Mental Wellness
The World Health Organization defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”

5. Mental Wellness Focus on strengths, assets, protective buffers
Develop a supportive, caring, nurturing climate

6. Community
School
Family
Individual
Peer

7. Protective and Risk Factors
Protective Factors:
buffer against the impact of barriers (risk factors)
Individual, family, school, and community

8. Risk Factors:
Internal and external barriers to development and learning

9. Community
School
Family
Individual
Peer

10. Community School Family Peer Individual
Opportunity to engage in pro-social activities, or that caring adults are present in their community
Rewards - youth feel that their postive behaviors are recognized and acknowledged by their community
School
Opportunity to interact with teachers and participate in school-related activities
Rewards - youth feel acknowledged by their their teachers and their parents relative to school performance and participation
Family
Opportunity to participate in family decision making and do fun things with family
Rewards - parents acknowledge and praise when they do well
Attachment - youth feel close to and can share openly with parents
Peer
Individual
Social Skills - skills in decision-making, conflict resolution, and making good choices
Belief in a Moral Order - youth perspective on whether it is ok to steal, cheat, or lie

11. The more assets the fewer risk behaviors
Assets/Strengths
Good Grades Involved in extracurricular activities
Involved in decision-making Involved in community service
Lots of adults in my neighborhood to talk to Parents notice when doing a good job 11 11

12. The more assets the fewer risk behaviors
Assets/Strengths
Good Grades Involved in extracurricular activities
Involved in decision-making Involved in community service
Lots of adults in my neighborhood to talk to Parents notice when doing a good job 12 12

13. The more assets the fewer risk behaviors
Assets/Strengths
Good Grades Involved in extracurricular activities
Involved in decision-making Involved in community service
Lots of adults in my neighborhood to talk to Parents notice when doing a good job 13 13

14. Skills like decision making, conflict resolution, making good choices
Protective Factors
General Population
Used Drugs or Alcohol
Ever in a Gang
Community Rewards
for Involvement
51%
46%
37%
Youth feel that their positive behaviors are recognized by the community
Peer and Individual
Social Skills
67%
40%
30%
Skills like decision making, conflict resolution, making good choices

15. Reporting Symptoms of Depression
Protective Factors
General Population
Reporting Symptoms of Depression
Used Drugs or Alcohol
74%
61%
51%
I can ask my mom
or dad for help

16. Other Experiences and Regular Attendance at Religious Activities

17. Fairfax Youth A Gauge of Mental Wellness
Almost all Fairfax County youth report that there are lots of opportunities to get involved in positive activities in and outside of school
Nearly a quarter of Fairfax County youth are physically active for at least 60 minutes every day
Three out of four youth report they can go to their parents for help with a problem
More than two-thirds of Fairfax County youth have not used any drugs or alcohol in the past 30 days
Talking Points:
Because of our commitment to our youth and to prevention, our youth are doing well overall. 17 17

18. A Gauge of Youth Mental Wellness
Sadly slightly higher rates of depression in both pyramids

19. Teens in Fairfax County who experienced Depression
in the past 12 months
Females
35%
Males
26%

20. Adolescent Girls
20% of girls reported that they had considered suicide
5% of girls attempted suicide
14% of females reported some unhealthy weight loss behavior in the past 30 days

21. Depression/Considered Suicide by Race/Ethnicity - Countywide
Similar to national trends, races/ethnicities other than White are more likely to report feeling depressed and considering suicide

22. Actual Participation in Extracurricular Activities Once a Month or More

23. How can we create opportunities that tap into the resiliency in all of us?

24. Everyone’s Got Basic Human Needs

25. Resiliency Traits in All of Us
Cooperation
Empathy
Problem-Solving
Self-Efficacy
Self-Awareness
Goals, Dreams, Hopes
We learn and develop through experience using these traits.

26. Resiliency: We are who we are BECAUSE of not in spite of

27. The Biggie: Locus of Control
Do you control your destiny or are you controlled by it?
Is it what you do or events that happen to you that alter your life path?
Is it about being at the right place at the right time?
NOTE: Internal LOC can be learned through experiences. Balance is key- You need the other traits to keep the balance

28. Resiliency Ponderings: How can we insert opportunities to use resiliency traits in all domains?
Community
School
Family
Individual
Peer

29. When compared to youth who do NOT report depressive symptoms, youth who report depressive symptoms are:
More likely to have used drugs and alcohol
More likely to have skipped school
Twice as likely to report binge drinking
Seven times more likely to report considering suicide
Twice as likely to have first had sex before the age of 12
Twice as likely to have been in a fight