Resiliency

If a child or adolescent you know is struggling and has come to you for help, you can take steps to assist them achieving a healthy, happy outcome and lifestyle. Below are some important facts about Resilient Youth that can help you support a young person who may be struggling to find his/her way.

  • Talk to the youth, and, ask them what is going on
  • Offer hope
  • Know the available resources
  • Call a crisis center, 911, or take the youth to your local emergency department
  • Encourage the teen to contact a supportive service like those listed below, this will provide a professional to talk with them while waiting for emergency services
  • Do NOT leave the child/teen alone

Read More

  • Speaks up for themselves
  • Self-aware
  • Positive outlook
  • Can solve problems
  • Has a support system (peers or adults)
  • Asks for help when needed
  • Can name what they are feeling
  • Shows empathy
  • Able to live with uncertainty
  • Can describe personal goals
  • Has at least one safe adult role model or mentor
  • Has healthy coping skills for times of stress
  • Can say “no” to peer pressure
  • Has a sense of humor and can laugh at themselves
  • Desire to help others

Read More

  • Help your child build their problem solving skills. Teach them that there is no such thing as a “quick fix” to most of life’s problems.
  • Allow your child to take responsibility for some of their own decision making and practice thinking through different options for themselves.
  • Get to know your child’s friends/parents and caregivers. It’s OK to check in to make sure your child is where and with who they say they will be.
  • Make sure your child knows the house rules and consequences if the rules are broken. Post these rules and consequences in your home so it’s clear what your response as a caregiver will be if a rule is broken.
  • Help your child build self-esteem. Recognize their efforts, hard work, and successes. Find reasons every day to let your child know they are valuable and important.
  • Encourage healthy eating and sleeping habits, and help find ways to constructively occupy down time and manage stress.
  • Make a point to spend quality time with your child, even if it’s a movie night or dinner together at the table. Create new family traditions together.

Read More

  • Sleep. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep each night. Practice going to bed a ½ hour earlier until you wake up feeling rested.
  • Healthy eating. Food is energy for your body. Make sure you’re giving your body what it needs to stay active and healthy.
  • Exercise daily. Take the stairs when you can. Park further off in the parking lot to get a few extra steps in on the way to school, work, or during social outings.
  • Pat yourself on the back and treat yourself once in a while.
  • Deep breathing. Just 30 seconds a day can do wonders!
  • Daily reminders. Find song lyrics or quotes that are meaningful and inspiring. Write them down where you’ll see them each day.
  • Look for the positives in a challenging situation. What can you learn from the experience?
  • Friends. Spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself, support you, and bring out the best in you.
  • Practice kindness.

Read More