Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Why Every Teen Deserves GRIT: Building Lifelong Resilience Together

Five teenagers walking down a bright school hallway with backpacks, representing connection, support, and resilience through the GRIT-TEEN program.

Being a teenager today isn’t easy. Between school pressures, social media, uncertainty about the future, and the constant noise of the world, it’s easy for young people to feel overwhelmed. As parents and caregivers, we see their stress and often wish we could give them something more than reassurance. We want to give them tools that actually help.

That’s where GRIT-TEEN, a free program from the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience, comes in.

GRIT-TEEN (short for Greater Resilience Information Toolkit) was designed to help teens build lifelong coping strategies to support their social groups that go far beyond the classroom. Developed by researchers and mental health experts at UCCS, this program offers real-world skills for supporting others in managing stress, staying grounded during change, and creating healthy, supportive relationships.

What GRIT-TEEN Teaches

GRIT-TEEN isn’t another lecture on “how to be positive.” It’s an interactive learning experience that gives teens practical, research-backed tools for handling life’s challenges—tools they can use right now, and carry into adulthood.

Participants learn how to:

  • Recognize and manage stress before it becomes overwhelming.

  • Build strong social connections that offer support during tough times.

  • Communicate effectively when emotions run high.

  • Develop healthy coping strategies for anxiety, disappointment, or setbacks.

  • Identify and use local resources like support groups and counseling when they need extra help.

The program’s foundation is simple but powerful: resilience can be taught, strengthened, and shared.

Why It Matters

Adolescence is a critical time for emotional development. Research consistently shows that teens with strong coping skills and support networks are better equipped to handle stress, maintain positive mental health, and succeed later in life.

GRIT-TEEN helps bridge that gap by teaching teens how to help their friends to handle stress before it turns into burnout, depression, or withdrawal. It encourages open conversations about mental health and helps them understand that asking for help is not a weakness—it’s strength in action.

Even more importantly, GRIT-TEEN connects participants to a network of resources through the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience, including information about therapy, support groups, and community programs. This connection ensures that teens and families know where to turn when they need continued support or guidance.

For Parents, Caregivers, and Mentors

It’s normal to worry about your teen—especially when you see them struggling. Maybe they’ve been quieter than usual. Maybe their motivation or confidence seems to be slipping. Or maybe you just want to help them build a stronger foundation for whatever challenges come next. GRIT-TEEN gives teens tools to be a resource for their friends when they experience stressful events or situations. Sharing the GRIT-TEEN program is one of the simplest, most meaningful ways to do that. It’s free, accessible online, and backed by science.

A Lifelong Gift

The habits and strategies learned through GRIT-TEEN don’t end when the program does. Teens who practice resilience skills early often carry them into college, careers, and relationships. They learn how to help their social networks when needed, pause before reacting, reach out instead of shutting down, and face challenges with confidence instead of fear.

As a parent, you can’t always shield your teen from adversity—but you can give them the tools to navigate it. GRIT-TEEN is a powerful, positive step in that direction.

Encourage your teen to take part, or take the first step together. Show them that resilience isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build, practice, and share.

Learn More and Share GRIT-TEEN

The Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience is committed to empowering individuals and communities through education, connection, and science-backed training. Explore the GRIT-TEEN program and discover how resilience training can make a difference in your teen’s life and the lives of those around them.

To learn more and share GRIT-TEEN with the teens in your life, visit the official GRIT website here.