Supporting children and young people in their mental health: A guide for East Sussex schools: a resilience-based, whole school approach to promoting positive mental health and addressing individual needs
Understanding resilience and the whole school approach
Resilience is most frequently described as ‘positive development despite adversity’ (Luthar, 2003) or ‘the ability to withstand and rebound from disruptive life challenges, strengthened and more resourceful’ (Walsh, 2008). Resilience researchers across the world seek to understand what processes take place for those young people and families who positively adapt to hardship, so that this learning can be applied to supporting others to do the same.
A short background of the development of the concept of resilience can be found in Appendix 1 (see main document or references and appendices), but suffice to say here that it is now seen as much more than personal qualities or “character”, and much more about the dynamic interaction between the individual and support available in their environment. This led to the development of socio-ecological approaches and models to understand resilience in context.
Resilience is not a personality trait. Innate characteristics play a part, but resilience is something that can be promoted and developed, through the provision of support and opportunities for growth.
Full guidance on understanding resilience and the whole school approach [Adobe PDF, 203KB]
Make Your Mark Film about Visual Arts Practice for Resilience
This documentary about the project includes footage from the resilience-building arts workshops, the project exhibition showcasing the young people’s art work, and interviews and artists statements from the young people experiencing mental health complexities and /or learning difficulties who participated in the workshops.
Visual Arts Practice for Resilience: A guide for working with young people with complex needs
The aim of this guide is to offer practical advice and ideas that are affordable and accessible, and can be put into practice with groups of young people. As well as showing how you might put resilience theory into practice and facilitate art based activities.
Building resilience through arts resources
An arts for resilience practice guide has been produced by the project team (including young people). It contains instructions on how to conduct a range of practical visual arts activities that we have identified as being resilience promoting.
The Insiders’ Guide parent carer support course
Parenting has got to be one of the hardest jobs there is – and it’s tougher when you have a child with additional needs such as a disability, special educational need, complex health or behaviour issue.
