What is resilience and why is it important? 

Resilience can be formally defined as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, adapt well to adversity, and maintain mental and emotional stability despite challenging circumstances. 

Dr. Michael Ungar, the Co-Director of the RRC (Resilience Research Centre), defines resilience as the “capacity of individuals to navigate towards and negotiate for psychological, social, cultural, and physical resources that sustain their well-being in the face of significant adversity.” This perspective shifts the focus from an individual trait to a relational and ecological concept. It emphasizes that resilience involves not only the individual’s ability to find and use resources but also the role of families, communities, and governments in providing these resources in culturally meaningful ways.

In moments of adversity, people often feel weak and vulnerable, creating emotions that make us feel unstable and negative. Resilience skills play a pivotal role in combating these negative emotions, in order to train individuals on how to counter these feelings by equipping people with mechanisms to protect against potentially overwhelming experiences. These skills help maintain balance during stressful periods and can also prevent the development of various mental health issues. Through life, whether in our personal, work, or school environment, our self-determination is tested, therefore developing resilience is vital as it functions as a lifelong skill that will facilitate the reduction of stress and anxiety during these moments, and further enhances a person’s ability to cope with the challenges while maintaining overall wellbeing. 

Between 15 and 25 percent of Canadian youth experience at least one mental health challenge or illness before they turn 19. This may affect a person’s responses to challenges later in life. Research has shown that resilience is a set of skills that can be learned with implementation and practice. Additionally, developing resilience can improve drive, determination, and self-worth. Stressors in daily life can be seen as chances to practice resilience techniques, which will improve performance in the end. 

Resilience enables us to accept situations as they are, adapt to changing circumstances, and seek effective solutions. Cultivating resilience in children from an early age equips them to cope with and adapt to changing situations and carries forward into adulthood. This is why at Helix Foundation we are determined to support child & youth resilience by conducting research and policy analysis; providing strategic insights into program design; and engaging with the public. At Helix Foundation, we believe that investing in child and youth resilience is essential for building a resilient future.