Building

Resiliency
In our Youth

Presented by:
Suzanne Witt-Foley , MakingConnections4Health

April, 2017
1
 What is Resiliency?
Resiliency is the
process of adapting
well in the face of
adversity.

It means
bouncing
back from
difficult
experiences.
 Youth Stress

According to the OSDHUS survey, 34% of students

reported psychological stress in their school lives.
Adolescent stress, depression, anxiety and sleep
loss is high among female students at 43%,
compared to male students at 24%
 Factors Impacting Well Being
Divorce. Relationship
Self Family loss with Parents
esteem
Relationships
social isolation
Sexual Identity/
Bullying
Orientation
Peer Pressure
Homework,
deadlines, tests Expectations Violence
Time pressures Discrimination
Abuse, Trauma

Unrelenting Chronic Stress or Toxic Stress

 Factors Impacting Well Being
Divorce Relationship
Self
Lack of Money Family with parents
Esteem
Loss social isolation
Relationships Bullying
Sexual Identity Peer Pressure
Homework, Orientation Violence
Deadlines, Tests Discrimination
Expectations
Time Pressures abuse

Unrelenting Chronic Stress or Toxic Stress

Coping
Mental Illness & with
Substance
Chronic Illness
Access to Use
Genetics
care
Response to Stress
Resilience = Stress X Support

4/29/17
Top 10 list of fears
3 categories
o Physical harm or death
o Death or loss of loved one
o Speaking in public

What are we afraid of when we speak in public?

Bullying
We acknowledge physical assault to a greater
degree than emotional assault
bystanders = mass rejection
We all have a need to belong. Signs that we are
liked, admired, loved, treated fairly, praise are
signs that we belong.
Students
connectedness to
school has been
identified as among the
greatest protective
factors against
polydrug use,
absenteeism,
pregnancy, and
unintentional injury,
even after taking family
influences into account.
 Connectedness in
Schools
Students feeling of
connectedness was
the #1 protective
factor against
suicidal behaviour.

Students who feel connected to the school

are also less likely to drink alcohol, carry
weapons, or engage in other
delinquent behavior.
Recipe for Stress
N - New/Novel
U - Unpredictable
T -Threat to Ego
S - Sense of Control
 Gordon Neufeld
Most issues are a
relationship problem
not a behavioural
problem.
Brain is built primarily
in the context of warm
attachment and
connectivity
The Power Of Empathy

4/29/17
Way of Thinking

4/29/17
 Factors Impacting Well Being
early
low lack
childhood
income education
poor quality
housing social isolation
insecure/poor Family conflict
working Discrimination
unemployment
conditions abuse

Unrelenting Chronic Stress or Toxic Stress

Mindfulness, Yoga, sleep, physical
activity, music, rhythm,
Geneticsfuel,
journaling

Mental Illness & Chronic Coping with

Illness Substance Use
Mindfulness

4/29/17
Sleep

4/29/17
Laughing Man Video

4/29/17
Music

4/29/17
Journaling/Writing

4/29/17
Fuel

4/29/17
Physical Activity

4/29/17
Benefits of Physical
Activity

4/29/17
The most powerful tool
to building your teens
resilience..is YOU!
 Suzanne Witt-Foley
Making Connections for Health
www.suzannewittfoley.com