Resilience is important for several reasons; it enables us to develop mechanisms for protection against experiences which could be overwhelming, it helps us to maintain balance in our lives during difficult or stressful periods, and can also protect us from the development of some mental health difficulties and issues.

Resilience can lead to:

Improved learning and academic achievement

Lower absences from school due to sickness

Reduced use of risk-taking behaviors, such as excessive drinking, smoking, or use of drugs.

Increased involvement in community or family activities.

A lower rate of mortality and increased physical health.

“What I learned from the program is that you have to be healthy, not just physically but mentally as well. You have to take care of yourself and to make sure that you are mentally happy. What was meaningful to me was that we were able to open up and express ourselves to people that we don’t know, but also feel safe and know that they are here to help us.”

Nizhia Harrison
Burke County teen who attended every session of the pilot project

“It helps me express my feelings because I feel like I can say what I feel and not be worried about what anybody says.”

“The Resilient sessions taught me how to better care for myself in times of hardships and learn how to bounce back as good as new.”

Why do our MEDICAL STUDENT FACILITATORS recommend the program?

“I think that it gives them an opportunity to learn new things and meet new people and develop different perspectives on life and current events.”

“It’s amazing opportunity for students to expand their potential, really think about what they want from life, and have opportunities for mentorship. It’s also a safe space for them to talk about and understand their emotions.”

“I think it provides the opportunity for teens to engage in important conversations and takeaway key dialogue and skills that they can bring back to their communities.”

“I believe it allows for a mentor-mentee relationship in which both parties can express themselves and open up to an unbiased audience – it was a therapeutic experience.”

“This program truly helps teenagers think about topics and issues that may not be common to them. Having an older mentor is a great way to help them throughout their lives.”

How did it help?

  • The Resilient Teens Sessions taught me why I may be feeling certain things.
  • It helped me by being there to listen to what I had to say.
  • It taught me how to express myself.
  • I know how to describe my feelings and talk about them better.
  • I was able to talk about my feelings more.
  • It helped me feel more like I was in a safe environment.
  • Helped me realize self-worth.
  • It helped me realize when to take a break and when to take care of myself.
  • I can figure out who to trust to talk about my feeling with.
  • They taught me to just go for something and not be afraid.
  • I am able to communicate with the person and be more direct to help them understand what I am feeling.
  • I found new ways to stop suppressing my feelings.
  • It helped a little with my confidence, but I was already very confident myself. I was a little shy at first but Ms. Sierra and Renie made me feel welcome.
  • It taught me how to be a better communicator.
  • The resilient sessions taught me how to better care for myself in times of hardships and how to bounce back as good as new.
  • It helped me control my emotions.
  • I was helped by seeing examples of how to help other people.
  • In the sessions I felt like it was a safe zone to talk about my feeling without being judged and received positive feedback so it made it easier.
  • Meditation and prayer.
  • I had someone to talk to.
  • It made me think about things I usually don’t think about and I felt comfortable.
  • It taught me it’s okay to feel the way I’m feeling and others do too.
  • I know why I feel the way I do now and what causes the feelings that I have. The program has helped me look “inside myself.”
  • It helps me express my feelings because I feel like I can say what I feel and not be worried about what anyone says.
  • Self-awareness lessons.