Introduction

This resource collection was created in response to the overwhelming amounts of stress that Americans are reporting, made evident in the 2008 American Psychological Association report, Stress in America. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Resilience and Stress Management Resource Collection can be utilized during any situation, whether it is dealing with financial stress, recovering from a natural disaster, or coping with the loss of a family member or friend. The collection provides a knowledge base for understanding the concept of resilience, as well as the concept of stress and stress management. It emphasizes stress management as a promoter of resilience and the importance of fostering resilience to be psychologically prepared when stressful life events occur.

Materials included in this collection are among the best available from national and professional sources, and they collectively address the concept of resilience and promoting the ability to be prepared for stressful times, as well as understanding the foundations of stress and effective coping strategies for many of life's challenges. It contains tips for dealing with stress when internal defenses are not enough and, more importantly, it helps people recognize the signs of when professional guidance should be sought. This collection will be updated as new resilience and stress management techniques become more evidence-informed and advances are made within community-based programs.

This collection is organized into two main categories: resilience, and stress and stress management, each with subcategories of information. Additionally, the resources are made up of various media: books, activities, tip and fact sheets, and assessment tools. The resource collection is organized as follows:

• Resilience

  • The concept of resilience including personal resilience, organizational resilience, and community resilience
  • Strategies and approaches that promote personal resilience, organizational resilience, and community resilience
  • Resources that promote personal resilience, child and family resilience, business and organizational resilience, community resilience, resilience in older adults, and resilience in individuals living with mental illnesses

• Stress and Stress Management

  • The concept of stress including common myths about stress, types of stress, common stressors, and managing stress to bolster resilience
  • Strategies and approaches that build resilience by managing stress including the warning signs of stress
  • Resources that facilitate learning about stress and stress management for individuals, children/adolescents, families, workers, unemployed people, caregivers, and people under financial stress

How are these resources to be used?

Many of these materials are for direct use by the general public. Of particular interest are books, activities, and tip sheets that individuals, children, and families can use to foster resilience or manage stress. All resources are in the public domain or have been authorized for noncommercial use. Resources are not to be used for commercial purposes. Hardcopies of some materials may be ordered by using the publication numbers cited in the bibliography. Programs are encouraged to adapt the information contained in this series to best meet their needs. If utilized in other program materials, programs should acknowledge the source of the materials.

The SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) invites you to contribute to its resource collection by sharing materials you have discovered and found helpful. To inquire about making a submission, contact:

SAMHSA DTAC 4350 East West Highway Suite 1100 Bethesda, MD 20814-6233

Phone: 800-308-3515 Fax: 800-311-7691 email: dtac@samhsa.hhs.gov website: http://www.samhsa.gov/dtac