A Glimpse into Resiliency ...

Building resiliency is critical in the life of youth. It is currently called a host of other names including hardiness, psychological resilience, emotional resourcefulness, and mental resiliency. Regardless of the name chosen, resiliency is the ability of a youth to interact with the environment, handle stresses that occur, and bounce back from these stressful events. It is the process by which well-being is promoted and protection factors are activated against overwhelming feelings of stress. Youth who have developed resiliency are able to bounce back from the negative impact of difficulties.

Resiliency can be thought of as a skill that allows teens to ...

* manage life's challenges, stresses, changes, and pressures effectively

* cope with and adapt successfully to adversity

* bounce back to a balanced state after facing a major disruption in life or career/education planning.

Youth have an innate ability to demonstrate resiliency as they build resiliency skills into their lives. Resilient youth are able to adapt successfully under adverse circumstances such as poverty, mental illness, disasters, terrorism, physical or psychological trauma, parents' divorce, parent's job loss and financial problems, family members in prison, loss of a loved one, peer pressure, physical or sexual abuse, self-induced pressure to achieve in school, or a lack of safety. Resiliency, or a positive behavioral adaption, is critical when youth encounter any type of trauma.

(Adapted from Teen Mental Health and Life Skills Workbook by John J. Liptak, Ed.D & Ester R. A. Leutenberg)