16 Strong is dedicated to empowering resilience to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) through student-led initiatives, educational workshops, school partnerships, and community outreach. 16 Strong strives to continue conversations that help young people recognize and navigate the challenges they are facing as a result of ACEs. They believe that with strong support systems, healthy coping mechanisms, and a positive mindset, the negative impacts of ACEs can be mitigated.
16 Strong is one of the only organizations to take a proactive rather than a reactive approach to improving the mental health and well-being of our nation’s youth by raising awareness about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how they impact mental health. Youth are taught resiliency skills, and how to develop strong support systems plus positive coping mechanisms to better navigate the challenges that come with facing adversity. They provide peer-to-peer training, education, workshops, presentations, community outreach, and resources in schools, colleges and online.
A Recognize, Resist, Reveal approach is used which helps young people recognize their situation, resist the negative impacts, and reveal their experiences to others in a way that is meaningful to them. Storytelling is an important part of the process, as it can be powerful for both the person sharing and for those who are listening. 16 Strong encourages young people to share their experiences with others so that they don’t have to deal with them alone.
There are 24 hours in a day. If you are (in an absolute perfect world) getting a full 8 hours of sleep every night, that leaves 16 hours awake each day. 16 Strong represents what it means for every individual person to get through the 16 waking hours of the day despite any adversity or challenges you may be facing at any given time. What keeps YOU 16 Strong?
More information about this Difference Maker can be found at:
www.16strongproject.com
