Training aims to help build youth resiliency

MEDIA RELEASE 8th JUNE 2006

Training aims to help community build resiliency among young people

“Resilience is the capacity to cope with, and bounce back after, the ongoing demands and challenges of life, and to learn from them in a positive way.” (Joubert and Raeburn 1998)

Toi Te Ora – Public Health, together with the Mental Health Foundation, Interagency Forum, Tauranga Moana Youth Network and representatives from Western Bay of Plenty schools, is running resiliency training for teachers and agencies working with youth. The half-day training session is on Tuesday 20 June at the Hillier Centre, Mount Maunganui.

“We can’t always stop negative situations or events happening but it’s been found that young people deal with situations better if they have good resiliency,” says Toi Te Ora -Public Health health promoter Toni Ashmore.

The training will involve discussing what resiliency is and ways in which the community can help build it.

“Building resiliency can involve helping young people develop coping strategies, encouraging relaxation and reduction/stopping the use of alcohol and other drugs and providing education and information about depression,” she says. “It’s also important to support a healthy lifestyle, encouraging positive thoughts and positive self talk.”

Young people do better with access to adults who care about them and are part of their lives, opportunities to contribute to their family and environment, activities and things to do that promote healthy development and places to go to see others and develop friendships, according to Toni Ashmore.

“The training encourages people working with young people to develop approaches that are inclusive and enabling, holistic, not based on set rules and acknowledge diversity and supportive relationships,” she says.

Those who would like to learn more about resiliency can access information from the Mental Health Foundation website http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/page.php?124 or by ringing the Mental Health Foundation on 09 300 7030.

ENDS

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