CHICAGO, Aug 27, 2002 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, more Americans are interested in learning how to overcome hardship, develop ways to deal with stress, and become resilient -- having the ability to "bounce back" from difficult experiences.
To help people prepare themselves to manage difficult situations and life stressors, the American Psychological Association (APA) is launching a nationwide public education campaign, "The Road to Resilience," providing information on resilience and steps to help develop it. The campaign consists of several components including a documentary and free educational material accessible through websites and a toll-free number, as well as grassroots activities such as forums, workshops and lectures provided by psychologists in communities throughout the United States, its territories and Canada.
"More than before September 11, people seem open to reexamining their lives and finding new ways to deal with uncertainty, stress and life challenges," says Russ Newman, Ph.D., J.D., executive director for professional practice of the American Psychological Association. "This campaign will present a variety of strategies individuals can use to develop and enhance their resilience whether managing chronic stress, difficult situations or coping with trauma."
The campaign will commence with the premiere of Aftermath: The Road to Resilience, an hour-long documentary coproduced by APA and the Discovery Health Channel, on August 29 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT), to be rebroadcast on September 11 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). The documentary features profiles in resilience of people of diverse ages and backgrounds in dealing with the effects of September 11 as well as other hardships that define many of our lives.
"In contrast to the many programs reliving the events of September 11, this documentary provides a window to the recovery, healing and new directions an individual's life undertakes when confronted with adversity," says Bob Reid, senior vice president and general manager of the Discovery Health Channel. Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy or even significant sources of stress such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace and financial stressors. Resilience involves behaviors, thoughts, and actions that anyone can learn and develop.
"Research has shown that resilience is ordinary, not extraordinary," says Newman. "Everybody can create strategies to help them build resilience or be more resilient. And people commonly demonstrate resilience. One example is the response of many Americans to the September 11 terrorist attacks and the individuals who have rebuilt their lives since then."
APA and Discovery Health have also coproduced a brochure, "The Road to Resilience," that addresses some of the signs of resilience and provides steps toward building resilience as well as a description of changes that may accompany an individual's journey toward building resilience. The brochure is free and can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-964-2000 or visiting http://www.helping.apa.org Both http://www.helping.apa.org and http://www.discoveryhealth.com will feature additional information on resilience and psychological health.
In addition, several state psychological associations have already organized grassroots activities in their communities. The Maryland Psychological Association and the Mental Health Association of Montgomery County, Maryland are collaborating to host a free forum on resilience for local residents on September 9. The Kansas Psychological Association is holding free lectures across the state at a community hospital, churches and a public library during the week of September 11. And in November, the Illinois Psychological Association will hold free lectures and discussion groups at retirement and assisted living community residencies to help senior citizens who are dealing with issues of stress and personal loss during the holiday season.
The concept for a public outreach project on resilience came as a result of focus group discussions held shortly after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Participants in Indianapolis, Los Angeles and Baltimore revealed a strong interest in learning what makes a person resilient and how to build resilience. In addition, a survey commissioned by APA and The Infinite Mind public radio series in January/February 2002 showed that a significant number of Americans were still feeling the mental health effects of the terrorist attacks and large majorities said they were reexamining their priorities in life.
The "Resilience" project is part of APA's ongoing public education campaign "Talk to Someone Who Can Help," which communicates the value of psychological health and includes the "Warning Signs" campaign to help young people identify and address signs of imminent youth violence in their peers.
The American Psychological Association (APA), located in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes more than 155,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its 53 divisions and its affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science and profession, and as a means of promoting health and human welfare.
SOURCE American Psychological Association
CONTACT: Luana Bossolo, +1-202-336-5899, lbossolo@apa.org or Dawn Bergantino, +1-202-336-5910, dbergantino@apa.org both of the American Psychological Association; or Monica Moore of Discovery Health Channel, +1-301-771-3781, monica_moore@discovery.com URL: http://www.apa.org http://www.prnewswire.com
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