Building Emotional Resilience in Youth

Emotional Resilience is the Ability to Adapt and Grow Through Difficulties.

It is not something people are simply born with, it’s a skill that can be developed, supported and strengthened over time. In the current state of the world and the many emerging challenges that future generations face, cultivating emotional resilience during youth is incredibly important. Contrary to outdated beliefs resilience is not built through ignoring emotions, pushing on no matter the circumstances and sheer grit, it is instead embodied through self-confidence, trusting in long term goals and building support systems. 

For young people, adolescence and early adulthood can be a time of enormous change. From navigating relationships and school or work pressures, to dealing with family difficulties or unexpected crises, life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Without the right support, these challenges can lead to serious struggles with mental health and can in some cases lead individuals to use alcohol and other drugs as a coping mechanism.  

Emotional resilience is what helps a young person cope with stress, build confidence, and keep moving forward, even when things get tough. Resilience can be a young persons safety net and is about finding ways to adapt, recover and see the bigger picture. 

Strong, safe connections with family, friends, mentors or community members provide a foundation of care and belonging. Even one trusted adult can make a difference in helping a young person feel less alone and more capable of facing challenges. 

Learning positive ways to manage stress, like exercise, creative expression, mindfulness or journaling, helps young people process emotions without turning to harmful behaviours.

Emotional resilience builds when young people are encouraged to try new things, set goals, and celebrate progress. Achieving small successes can help restore confidence and belief in their own strengths. 

Feeling connected to something bigger, whether it’s education, work, culture, or community, helps young people find meaning and direction, even during difficult times. 

Emotional resilience is not about being tough all the time. It is about having the courage to ask for help, the support to heal, and the belief that things can get better. Every young person deserves to feel resilient, sometimes they just need the right environment and encouragement for it to shine through. 
 
Programs supported by Sir David Martin Foundation, such as Triple Care Farm and Youth Network, are designed to nurture resilience. They provide young people with safe spaces, professional support, and opportunities to build skills and confidence for the future. With the right tools and encouragement, young people can not only recover but go on to thrive.