Wellbeing

Protective Factors for Mental Health Concerns

Protective factors are things that can help to overcome the likelihood of children developing more serious mental health conditions and impact positively.  Protective factors aim to mitigate risk factors and can come from internal or external sources.  Let’s have a look at some protective factors;

Individual Protective Factors

These factors come from the individual and can be developed and strengthened. These include having a secure and supportive family environment and attachments, a positive outlook on life, be independent, be able to solve problems, communicate well and have good self-regulation of emotions and impulses. 

Family Protective Factors

These include positive adult relationships, a safe and secure home environment, good routines and predictability and positive relationships with siblings and extended family.

School Protective Factors

These include positive peer and teacher relationships including parent and teacher partnerships, having a supportive learning environment where students feel safe to make mistakes and have predictable routines and there are opportunities for school/community interactions. 

Social and Community Protective Factors

These include having good community supports, such as belonging to clubs and knowing people in your community i.e. GP. Spiritual connections can also play an important role.

Although these protective factors might seem like common sense, ensuring that these areas of your child’s life are established might be worth a revisit. Perhaps there is an element that might be missing or in need or adjustment. 

Podcast or the Week

Raising Resilience is a podcast by Sara Olsher. Sarah first started the podcast because of her own challenging experiences with family, health and life. Each episode is about a different topic focused around raising resilient children to have and she speaks with a variety of professionals. Note: This podcast is for parents, not for children. 

Michaela, Student Wellbeing Leader