Session 5: Understanding resilience in adolescence
Introduction
Although the term resilience is now widely used in media reports and discussions about mental health, ongoing debates continue to examine what the term really means.
The term is often used to describe an individual’s capacity to endure stressful conditions and to bounce back from challenging situations and circumstances. Some academics, psychologists and psychiatrists have spent their careers trying to understand resilience, and they continue to debate its essence. Whilst they may differ in their definitions of what resilience means, they share a commitment to its value, especially in relation to supporting robust mental health. In this session, you will explore these debates around the meaning of resilience and how resilience can be nurtured in young people.
One thing there is some agreement about is that resilience, much like a muscle or a set of skills, can be learnt and developed, but it takes practice. First, you will hear from some young people who have shown resilience through coping with adversity. As you work through the session, you’ll refer back to this from time to time.
This video provides insights into young people’s views about resilience and what it means to them.
