A keynote presentation given by Prof. Paula Barrett at the 2012 CHA Conference, The Journey.

1. pathwayshrc.com.au
Empowering children,
young people and their
families to find positive
life solutions to
emotional distress
Professor Paula Barrett
Pathways Health and Research Centre
Australian National University
University of Queensland

2. Thank you to…
 All children, families and professionals in
Australia and worldwide using the Friends
Programs in schools and clinics
 My family
 Pathways staff

3. “Never too old, never too bad,
never too late, never too sick
to start from scratch once
again.” -Bikram Choudhury.

4. “Even if you stumble, you’re
still moving forward.” –
Anonymous

5. “Use it or lose it.”
– Anonymous

6. “I went to a bookstore and asked
the saleswoman, 'Where’s the
self-help section?' She said if she
told me, it would defeat the
purpose.” -Steven Wright

7. “No matter who you are, no matter
what you did, no matter where
you've come from, you can always
change, become a better version of
yourself.”
- Anonymous

8. We know…
 Prevalence
 Who seeks help
 Need for prevention
 Human Capital Investment

9. Obesity /early onset diabetes and
anxiety/depressive disorders will be more
prevalent in western countries than any other
health problem in the next 30 years.
(World Health Organisation conference, 2011)

10. We can feel empowered by learning
RESILIENCE skills across the life span.

11. Resilience skills:
Secure attachments;
Mindfulness;
CBT;
Values and commitment therapy;

12. “Mindfulness is simply being aware
of what is happening right now
without wishing it were different;
enjoying the pleasant without
holding on when it changes (which it
will); being with the unpleasant
without fearing it will always be this
way (which it won’t).”
– James Baraz”

13. “The future depends on what you do
today.” - Mahatma Gandhi

14. Resilience Models Emotional &
Health Factors
Social Skills
Emotional Development
Neuroplasticity Family- Communities
Citizenship

15. What we need to do:
PARADIGM CHANGES
LIFE LONG RESILIENCE

16. Resources
 The Happy Movie.com
 The Brain that Changes itself – Norman Doidge, 2008
 The Sweet Poison Quit Plan, Sugar the Sweet Poison, Big
Fat Lies – David Gillespie, 2010
 Unlikely Friendships - Jennifer Holland, 2011
 Adult Resilience: Strong Not Tough - Paula Barrett, 2012
 Friends for Life – Paula Barrett, 2012
 Fun Friends – Paula Barrett, 2012
 Act With Love – Russ Harris, 2012
 Last Child in the Woods – Richard Louv,
2010
pathwayshrc.com.au

17. Thank you
pbarrett@pathwayshrc.com.au
pathwayshrc.com.au