Promoting young people’s resilience: a public health approach

9 March 2015, Coin Street

Dr Ann Hagell, Research Lead

From Institute of Health Equity briefing for Public Health England (2014) - ‘Building children and young people’s resilience in schools

Resilience for who?

• Young people already facing stressful situations

• Young people in situations of risk that may predispose them to poor outcomes

• General population of young people who are not particularly at risk

Based on Ann Masten’s work, from www.promisingfutureswithoutviolence.org

Based on Ann Masten’s work, from www.promisingfutureswithoutviolence.org

Based on Ann Masten’s work, from www.promisingfutureswithoutviolence.org

Key elements of a public health approach to young people’s resilience?

• Not about reducing all exposure to stress. This would not be good for development

• Not about developing resilience to any one particular threat (eg, violence). About a range of transferable skills, resources & supports.

• Working with those who are potentially facing stressors as well as those already threatened – more of a population approach

• No quick fix or silver bullet. Requires a package - factors internal to the individual but also external

• Not just changing children, changing society and social support systems

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