Resilience training impact is of particular interest in the 2024 National Resilience Index report for Australia and the United States. This year’s report explores how both nations have navigated economic instability, global conflicts, and social challenges, with insights and trends into resilience in an increasingly complex world.
Understanding Resilience and Its Importance
Resilience is more than just bouncing back from challenges; it is about advancing despite adversity, transforming setbacks into opportunities for growth, and thriving despite difficulties. In today’s world, resilience has become an essential trait for individuals, communities, and organisations to navigate through the complexities brought on by socio-economic instability, global challenges, and rapid changes.
The 2024 National Resilience Index offers a comprehensive look at the current state of resilience in both Australia and the United States, and highlights the vital role resilience plays in mental well-being, social cohesion, and overall quality of life. By measuring resilience across six domains, this report provides actionable insights into how we can foster resilience in our daily lives, workplaces, and communities.
Key Highlights of the 2024 Report
The report explores resilience levels over the last two years on a quarterly basis. Here are some key insights:
- Rising Resilience through Training – Resilience First Aid (RFA) training has been shown to increase resilience by an average of 15.8%, and by 56.7% on average for those with greater mental health needs. These results highlight the value of structured resilience programs and the importance of investing in resilience-building efforts.
Resilience First Aid helps individuals cope with stress and empowers them to support others in their communities. By learning proactive skills, individuals can create a culture of resilience that positively impacts families, workplaces, and society. - Divergent Paths of Recovery – The report shows that Australia and the United States have taken unique paths to resilience over the last two years. Both nations have faced economic uncertainty, geopolitical tension, and social challenges, yet their resilience levels have evolved differently.
In Australia, resilience levels improved in areas like collaboration and health, reflecting the focus on social support networks and health behaviours. In contrast, resilience in the United States was more variable, affected by rising unemployment and political uncertainties. This divergence highlights the need for tailored resilience-building approaches for specific challenges. - Sector-Specific Trends – The report highlights resilience trends by sector, identifying where resilience-building is most needed. Sectors such as healthcare, emergency services, and education face high pressures, with frontline workers often experiencing burnout and stress. Targeted resilience programs can effectively reduce mental health risks and improve well-being in these sectors.
Industries like finance and technology have also seen resilience fluctuations due to economic volatility and rapid changes. Understanding these challenges allows organisations to create tailored support for their workforce. - A Call to Action for Greater Investment in Resilience – The report finds that 9 in 10 people in both Australia and the United States are below the 85% protective range of resilience, putting them at increased risk of mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Increased investment in resilience-building initiatives is needed at all levels of society—from schools and workplaces to communities and national policy.
Our ongoing Resilience25by25 initiative aims to increase resilience levels by 25% by 2025. This calls on governments, businesses, and individuals to take practical steps like embedding resilience training in education, supporting workplace well-being programs, and investing in community initiatives.
National Strengths & Opportunities
- Australia’s main strength shifted to Health marking a shift from the previous report where previously Tenacity was the main strength. Australia’s interest in physical health is evident in its outdoor culture and representation in the Olympics medal tally (page 19)
- America’s main strength is Vision again for this year, highlighting the forward-looking nature of Americans pursuing goals with higher focus than many other countries (page 17)
- Australia’s main opportunity is Composure, continuing the previous trends where our national ability to manage stress and regulate emotions is useful to develop (page 19)
- America’s main opportunity is Collaboration, similar to last year’s report, showing an increase in social disconnection and isolation, reminding us why we need to re-develop our ability to build communities (page 17)
Why Resilience Matters Now More Than Ever
Resilience is not a luxury – it is a necessity. Many thought moving past COVID-19 would be a relief, though ongoing challenges like economic disruptions, climate change, and geopolitical tensions have continued to remind us of the importance of resilience in helping individuals and communities cope with uncertainty and adversity. Resilience is not just about survival; it is about thriving in the face of adversity and maintaining a sense of purpose and hope when faced with challenges.
The findings of the National Resilience Index are a wake-up call for all of us. We must take proactive steps to nurture resilience within ourselves and support those around us. Whether it is through formal training programs, fostering social connections, or prioritising mental and physical health, we all have a role to play in creating a resilient society.
How You Can Contribute to Building Resilience
Building resilience requires a collaborative effort. Here are some ways you can contribute to fostering resilience in your community:
- Participate in Resilience Training – Engaging in resilience training, such as Resilience First Aid, is one of the most effective ways to boost your resilience and learn skills to support others.
- Create Supportive Environments – Whether at home, work, or in your community, create spaces where people feel supported, heard, and encouraged. Listening actively and offering empathy can make a significant difference in someone’s resilience journey.
- Advocate for Mental Health and Resilience Programs – Advocate for resilience training and mental health programs in schools, workplaces, and community centres. Encourage local governments to invest in prevention and early intervention initiatives.
- Lead by Example – Demonstrate resilience in your own life by setting goals, maintaining a positive outlook, and adapting to change. By modelling resilience, you can inspire others to do the same.
Download the Full 2024 National Resilience Index
The 2024 National Resilience Index provides an in-depth analysis of resilience across multiple dimensions and offers practical recommendations for individuals, organisations, and policymakers. We invite you to explore the full report to understand the challenges and opportunities for resilience-building in greater detail.
Together, let’s build a more resilient future for all.
