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Mitigating adversaries, emotional distress, and tragic events in our lives can be challenging, particularly when they happen to young people. However, resilience, or the psychological capacity to deal with a crisis, can not only help adolescents strive and grow as healthy individuals, but it can also contribute to a society's overall prosperity and development.
Despite the fact that resilience has a beneficial impact on both the personal and societal levels, statistics portray a bleak picture. According to the 2020 Cigna Resilience Survey, which included 16,500 school-aged children, their parents, young people, and working adults, 60% of Americans do not have strong levels of resilience.
The research also found that youngsters in their early pre-teen years (11-13) typically suffer a significant decrease in resilience that lasts until age 23, showing how important it is to help adolescents develop resilience so that they can bounce back quickly from adversity, even if it feels as if the world has fallen apart.
Instilling resilience in teens, on the other hand, is difficult. Who and how can do it? While friends and family may have an impact on teenage life, school and teachers might be just as powerful.
Fostering student resilience is a difficult task, as often young adults perceive their life as a roller-coaster ride with sudden turns and twists. Nevertheless, teachers can give direction and tools to students, helping them reach their full potential.
Building a positive and supportive climate in schools and classrooms is vital, as in such environments, teenagers are more likely to feel emboldened to try new things without the fear of negative consequences arising from making a mistake or failing.
As a matter of fact, safe and supportive environments work as a protective factor that builds resilience and reduces vulnerability. Besides, school is a unique place where confidence and self-belief can be instilled across the board, irrespective of students’ cultural or socio-economic background.
The notion that success is the only thing that matters on a young person's path to resilience may be dangerous. If we only celebrate the triumphs, we forget to recognize the progress that has already been made.
Those who are especially sensitive to emotional discomfort may feel “less worthy” if they are unable to meet the pre-determined resilience goals. Consequently, teachers should actively praise minor accomplishments.
Finally, resilience is a problem that everybody faces at some point in their life. But teenagers believe that their difficulties are the most severe. Thus, helping young adolescents to recognize themselves through other people’s stories could be an empowering experience.
According to one study, 88% of adolescents claim the guest speakers are especially helpful in making them realize that everyone has to overcome obstacles. Thereby, bringing in a guest speaker to schools can indeed provide a transformational experience for the students.
Encourage future generations' resilience by reaching out to me today.