Developing Mental Toughness in Young People

The goal of this book is to describe the concept of 'Mental Toughness' in such a way that the reader understands the concept and understands how it relates to the development of young people of all ages, whether they are in education or engage in extra-curricular activity. Such understanding is particularly important in the context of change and the challenge of preparing to live and work in a fast moving and fast changing world.One of the greatest challenges facing society today is that of developing young people who are the future generators of wealth so that they can play a full and productive part in the economic and social development of the world they inhabit and will inhabit. The need for this is particularly acute in the west where the old order is fast disappearing. The purpose of education and youth work is not only to ensure that young people are skilled and qualified. It must also prepare young people with the attributes and qualities that enable them to apply what they have learned in a challenging, changing and often stressful world. A number of initiatives have recently emerged which all have the same goal - to prepare young people for life in a world that demands resilience, confidence, tenacity and commitment in addition to vocational and academic skills. Possible the most important of these initiatives is Mental Toughness which, arguably, embraces most, if not all, of the other initiatives in producing the most comprehensive and enduring approach.