Worksheet: Understanding Resilience

Objectives:

To assist advocacy groups in assessing their resilience and clarifying strategies for care and sustainment.
To build Power With a collective through shared strategies that foster resilience and help sustain that power. </aside>

Time Required: 30-45 minutes

Audience Setting: Coalition, Group, Organization

Resources Needed: Printed worksheets or digital copies, pens, shared notes document or flip chart, facilitator. Optional: private meeting space, interpretation, accessibility supports, water, snacks, grounding materials.

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Content Note/Trigger Warning:

This worksheet invites reflection on adverse experiences, harm, and unmet needs within a group. It may bring up difficult emotions or memories for some participants. Consider offering breaks, grounding support, and the option to step back or participate differently. If possible, use this worksheet in a setting that supports safety, choice, and care.

Trauma-Informed Care Resource:

For additional guidance on trauma-informed approaches, see [SAMHSA’s TIP 57: Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services](https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/dbhis/tip-57-trauma-informed-care-behavioral-health-services?)

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Step 1: Reflections

Reflect on a recent adverse experience for individuals in your coalition or organization. Attempt to observe this experience from a distance and take time to answer these questions to better understand the collective’s response.

In what ways did the group exercise collective control of the issue and successfully meet the immediate needs of the affected individuals?

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What remained outside of the collective’s control?

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What immediate needs remained unmet?

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Were efforts made to connect with the affected individuals to offer direct support during their adverse experience(s)? Alternatively, did those individuals feel safe enough to reach out to other members of the group for support, and were the processes for doing so clear and easily accessible?

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If and when others became involved, were there experiences of vicarious trauma? What steps were taken to prevent and/or address these adverse experiences?

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What was the group’s response in the aftermath of the experience(s)?

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In what ways has resilience been demonstrated by members of the group, and in what ways can that resilience be supported and strengthened?

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What practices can the group put into place, to foster vicarious resilience? Vicarious resilience can be thought of as the capacity to be uplifted, feel inspired, and experience positive growth when listening to, learning about, and/or witnessing the resilience that is demonstrated by others.

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While the group reflects, consider areas where there were gaps. For example, where you might want to strengthen shared systems of support or adjust approaches to better meet immediate and long-term needs.

Create a plan to respond to future setbacks through shared accountability and concrete care practices.

Originally sourced from: https://provechocollective.org/tools-and-support/power-building-toolkit/