Building Resilient Children with Andrew Fuller

PARENTS and teachers across NSW will have a front row seats to hear from Australia’s leading expert in building resilient children thanks to Peer Support Australia.

The Building Resilient Children with Andrew Fuller evenings are free information sessions seeing Andrew Fuller take the stage to outline his approach to tackling the serious issues of resilience in children; including the causes of anxiety, depression and stress in children, methods for approaching challenges and conflict, and approaches parents can take to build their child’s resilience, relationship skills, and overall happiness.

As Fellow of the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Learning and Educational Development at the University of Melbourne, Andrew’s approach to building resilient children is based on research into 193,000 children in 600 communities, where Andrew identified key factors resilience, relationships and happiness.

“One of the key findings of my research is that people thrive when they feel connected, protected and respected. Each ingredient alone may not cure a case of the flu, but together they will help lower stress, protect against depression, increase longevity and help young people live a happier life,” Mr Fuller said.

“Specific interventions, such as positive psychology, social-emotion learning and positive youth development can have a major impact on a young person’s academic results, help them improve relationships in school and at home, and help them feel connected to their community.”

Hosted by Peer Support Australia, the Building Resilient Children with Andrew Fuller events have taken place in Campbelltown and Orange, with two more planned in Albury and Bega in the upcoming months.

These events support the organisation’s mission of empowering all students with practical skills and strategies to positively navigate life and its relationships.

“Peer Support Australia believes students should be equipped with the tools to be responsible for their own wellbeing, and the wellbeing of their peers. However, they can’t do it alone or in isolation. Teachers, parent, all of us play a part in building resilient children, which is why Peer Support Australia is hosting these parent evenings,” Peer Support Australia CEO Greg Cantwell said.

“Partnering with Andrew Fuller extends our mission of empowering parents to support their child’s wellbeing further.”