Over 160 parents filled the Rydges Southbank on Thursday the 20th of April to learn more about building resilience in their children and teens. Peer Support Australia brought Andrew Fuller, one of Australia’s leading experts on resilience, to Townsville to headline the conversation.
‘The positive response indicated that parents in the community are committed to building resilience in their children, teens and with their families’, explains Greg Cantwell, CEO of Peer Support Australia.
On the night, Mr Fuller used research on over 160 000 young people to paint a clear picture of the strengths and vulnerabilities of young people and confirmed that resilience is the active ingredient in creating great outcomes for children and teens.
‘Parents play a vital role in supporting their children and helping them develop skills and strategies that will make them capable of managing their lives positively’, says Greg Cantwell. ‘There was a real sense from those in attendance that they received practical answers and learned practical skills about how to create and build resilience in their children and families’.
Peer Support Australia also hosted a breakfast for school principals the following day. Andrew Fuller presented school leaders with evidence-based strategies on how to build resilience across the school.
‘Peer Support Australia is committed to working with school communities to empower them to improve the mental health of their students and enhance resilience’, states Mr Cantwell.
Mr Fuller discussed with principals how they can enable their students to approach challenges with greater confidence to enhance resilience across the whole school for behavioural change.
‘Peer Support Australia understands the vital role schools play in promoting resilience and the mental health and wellbeing of their students, says Mr Cantwell. ‘We enjoyed meeting with school leaders in the region who use the Peer Support Program to achieve these outcomes’.
Peer Support Australia is hosting an Implementation Workshop in Townsville on May 16th for school leaders and teachers, the first step in having the Peer Support Program at a school.
Schools looking to learn more about the Peer Support Program and the benefits of the Program are encouraged to contact us at Peer Support Australia through our website or phone 1300 579 to speak to a Wellbeing Education Consultant.
