The document discusses building resilience throughout the lifespan, emphasizing its importance for mental health and well-being. It highlights the rising prevalence of obesity and anxiety-related disorders in affluent countries and provides insights on risk and protective factors for human development. Evidence-based prevention programs and strategies for fostering resilience across communities and families are recommended for better health outcomes.

1. Building Resilience
Throughout the Life Span
Paula Barrett
Pathways Health and Research Centre, Brisbane
University of Queensland, School of Education

2. Acknowledgements
• All children, families and
professionals in Australia and
worldwide using the Friends
Programs in schools and clinics
• My family
• Pathways staff

3. “The very motion of
our lives is towards
happiness”
- Dalai Lama

4. Has history shown progress
towards human happiness?
Citizens of affluent countries have
physically healthier, longer life spans
but receive much less social support
from friendships and extended families.
Do these citizens have psychologically
healthier lives?

5. WHAT WE KNOW:
-Prevalence
-Who seeks help
-Need for prevention
-Human Capital Investment

6. Obesity /early onset type II diabetes and
anxiety/depressive disorders will be
more prevalent in western countries
than any other health problem by 2020.
(World Health Organisation conference, 2006, 2007,
2008, 2009)

7. We can feel empowered by learning
RESILIENCE skills which are EASY to
implement at home, school, communities –
across the life span.

8. RESILIENCE IS THE ABILITY TO
BOUNCE BACK IN THE FACE OF
ADVERSITY.

9. What we can feel
We can feel empowered by learning
RESILIENCE skills which are EASY to
implement at home, school, communities –
across the life span.

10. We can not always build a secure future
but we can build ourselves and our
children strong for the future.

11. Risk and Protective Factors
for Human Development
Risk Factors:
Protective Factors:
• Temperament
Physiological
sensitivity – low
thresholds for stress
• Neurological/brain
development
• Attention Biases
• Life Events traumas
•
•
•
•
•
Attachment
Cognitive style
Family
Sleep/Diet/Exercise
Evidence based
prevention programs

12. Exercise, Diet,
Sleep
Emotional Development
Family- Communities
Citizenship

13. What we need to do
PARADIGM CHANGES
LIFE LONG RESILEINCE

14. Thank you!
For further information please contact
Kathleen
training@pathwayshrc.com.au
www.pathwayshrc.com.au