Program and Resources for Faith-Based Communities

Resilience Program

Kids and teens are dealing with more stress than ever before, and research continues to show the significant impact that stress has on their mental health. They need help to learn how to cope with overwhelming emotions. Strong4Life utilizes a prevention-based approach to behavioral and mental health by focusing on developing resilience in all kids and teens, so they can better handle life’s ups and downs.

Our resilience training is available to outpatient pediatric primary care practices, schools, early care education centers and faith-based communities. This training is designed to help foster resilience in all children, starting at birth, and aims to:

Normalize conversations about feelings.
Provide education about supporting emotional development.
Teach skills to help kids and teens identify, express and manage feelings.

Why participate in the resilience training for faith-based communities?

Faith-based communities have a unique opportunity to provide a supportive environment in the face of stress and adversity. Strong4Life wants to equip faith-based leaders, teachers, coaches, volunteers, etc. with the tools they need to nurture the mental health of the kids and teens they serve.

This training is designed for anyone within faith-based communities who seek to:

Promote mental health and build resilience in kids and teens.
Promote open communication and reduce stigma around mental health.
Equip young people with the skills to cope with challenges, manage stress, and make healthy choices.

At the completion of the Resilience Training, participants can expect to:

Better understand emotional development of kids and teens.
Learn practical strategies for supporting emotional development.
Connect with a network of faith-based leaders and resources.
Be empowered to make a lasting positive impact on the lives of young people.

What do training participants receive?

In addition to learning strategies to promote emotional development and build resilience in kids and teens, participants in the Strong4Life Resilience Program will receive:

Training and coaching.
Access to educational materials, such as coping skills handouts and feelings posters.
Ongoing program support from Strong4Life behavioral and mental health professionals.
Education about Strong4Life web content that can be shared with families (including articles, guided videos, tip sheets and more).
A certificate of participation.

Materials for faith-based communities participating in Building Resilience Training (tip sheets, journals, etc.)

If you are interested in learning more, or would like to take the training, fill out our interest form. A Strong4Life team member will contact you regarding next steps.

If you have any questions, email Strong4LifeCommunity@choa.org.

Resilience and mental health resources

See below for downloadable printables (for kids and teens of all ages) to use at home with your families and with your faith-based community and staff, followed by articles to share and read, as well as videos.