by Alex Wilson, accredited mental health social worker
In today’s world, many teenagers struggle with emotional resilience. Faced with academic pressures, social media influence, and shifting friendships, teens are more vulnerable than ever to emotional overwhelm. As a parent, understanding why resilience is lacking and how to foster it is key to supporting your child’s mental wellbeing.
Why are teens struggling with resilience?
Emotional resilience is the ability to adapt to stressful situations and bounce back from adversity. However, research suggests that today’s teens are experiencing higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than previous generations.
Several factors contribute to this trend:
Digital overload – The constant presence of social media exposes teens to curated realities, peer comparison, and cyberbullying. A study by the American Psychological Association found that heavy social media use is linked to increased feelings of anxiety and inadequacy among adolescents.
Academic pressure – Increased competition and expectations in education have created an environment where many teens feel immense pressure to perform, often fearing failure or falling behind.
Reduced coping opportunities – Whilst increased focus on gentle parenting techniques are helpful in many ways, the urge to protect can unintentionally prevent teens from learning to cope with setbacks and discomfort.
Mental health knowledge – Teens have access to more language around mental illness than ever before, however most of them don’t have knowledge of skills or strategies to increase mental resilience.
How psychological skills training can help
Individual counselling or mental health support can be very helpful for teens who are struggling, however it can be costly and time consuming.
Another option for teens is psychosocial skills training in group settings. Groups are usually more affordable, and give participants access to large amounts of information, guidance and support that is practical in building long–term skills.
Participating in a group provides an added layer of support. Teens realise they’re not alone in their struggles, fostering a sense of belonging and shared experience. Group discussions offer a safe space to practice skills, receive feedback, and learn from others’ perspectives. This collective learning environment can be particularly empowering for teens who feel isolated in their challenges.
How DBT skills training works
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an evidence–based approach designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and improve relationships. Originally developed for adults, DBT has been adapted for teenagers and has shown promising results in enhancing emotional resilience. DBT programs utilise group skills training sessions to maximise positive outcomes.
In a DBT skills training group, teens learn four core skill sets that are practical, actionable, and empowering:
Mindfulness – Teens are taught to stay present and aware, helping them recognise and manage their thoughts and emotions without becoming overwhelmed. This skill encourages better emotional control and reduces impulsive reactions.
Distress tolerance – Life is full of challenges that can’t always be fixed right away. Distress tolerance skills help teens cope with uncomfortable feelings in healthy ways, reducing the urge to escape through harmful behaviours.
Emotion regulation – This skill set teaches teens how to identify, understand, and manage their emotions. By learning techniques to reduce emotional intensity, teens can approach challenges more calmly and thoughtfully.
Interpersonal effectiveness – Building strong, healthy relationships is essential for emotional wellbeing. Teens learn communication strategies, assertiveness, and boundary–setting, which help them navigate social situations with confidence.
The role of parents
While teens practice these skills, parents also play a crucial role. Understanding the DBT framework allows parents to reinforce these skills at home, modelling healthy coping strategies and encouraging open communication. Many programs offer parallel parent sessions or resources to help families integrate DBT principles into everyday life.
Building long–term resilience
Developing emotional resilience is a gradual process, but one that equips teens with lifelong tools to handle stress, setbacks, and emotional challenges. DBT skills training offers a structured and supportive pathway, empowering teens to approach difficulties with confidence and balance.
If you’re concerned about your teen’s emotional wellbeing, exploring DBT skills training could be a meaningful step. It’s not about eliminating discomfort but helping teens navigate it with strength and self awareness – an essential foundation for a healthy and resilient life.
Alex Wilson is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Director of Mindful Recovery Services and the Central Coast DBT Centre, providing psychological treatment and support for adolescents and adults. Alex is passionate about dispelling myths about mental illness, and is highly skilled in dialectical behavioural therapy. She is an experienced public speaker and provides training to other professionals on managing difficult behaviours in teens. Alex lives on the NSW Central Coast with her partner, 2 young boys, 2 goats, a bunch of chickens and a cheeky puppy named Axel.