In our modern world, it is more important than ever to consciously create an environment that offers a lifeline to people in danger of losing their way into confusion, loneliness, and emptiness. As part of our work to help communities cultivate lives of meaningful connection, hope, purpose, and wellness, the NRI employs the THRIVE Model of Resilience™ developed by Dr. Mollie Marti.

This evidence-informed model optimizes a community’s ability to support its members to grow their capacity to cope with stressful events and thrive in the face of adversity. This holistic model takes into account mental, physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and environmental needs.

Innovative communities, schools, and organizations are using the 6 Capacity Builders from the THRIVE Model (Trusted Adults – High Expectations – Resilience Building – Involvement –Vision – Enrichment) to strengthen their members, facilitate recovery from trauma, and prevent tragic loss of life.

THRIVE Model of Resilience™

Trusted Adults: in trusting relationship with a minimum of three responsible adults who provide care, positive role modeling and encouragement.

  • Safe – Perceives safety, including strong boundaries and physical and mental health supports.
  • Accepted – Strong sense of belonging and being affirmed for who he or she is.
  • Valued – Feels appreciated and respected with open, honest communication.
  • Supported – Provided encouragement and resources.

High Expectations: in an environment that expects best efforts and supports meaningful learning and growth.

  • Positive Family Norms – Family sets high expectations for achievement, provides support, shares stories about persisting through adversity, and holds accountable.
  • Positive Peer Norms – Two or more close friends support authentic living, give and receive support, and resolve conflicts in healthy ways.
  • Positive School/Workplace Norms – School/workplace expects best efforts, provides individualized support to grow self-efficacy, and enforces consequences without shame.
  • Positive Community Norms – Community provides meaningful opportunities to contribute, encourages leadership, and collectively monitors behavior.

Resilience Building: Taught skills to grow strengths, cope with adversity, regulate emotions, and refuel energy for positive action.

  • Awareness – Aware of self and others and understands consequences of actions.
  • Self-Regulation – Capacity to delay gratification and manage strong feelings and impulses.
  • Perseverance – Motivated to set goals and sustain effort, even in the face of setbacks.
  • Rejuvenation – Uses daily practices to regenerate positive emotions and actions.

Involvement: Provided meaningful opportunities to connect with and contribute to community.

  • Engaged – Participates in meaningful peer-based activities three or more hours per week and community-based gatherings one hour or more per week.
  • Connected – Feels cared about and allows others to invest in physical and emotional well-being.
  • Resourceful – Feels regularly relied on to solve problems or improve community.
  • Contributing – Perceives ability to make a difference and volunteers in community one hour or more per week.

Vision: Strengthened with messages of hope and engaged in co-creating a positive future.

  • Self-Confident – Positive self-perception and confidence in strengths and abilities.
  • Hopeful –Holds a positive vision for life one year or more into future.
  • Optimistic – Believes he/she can make a difference and contribute to a positive future.
  • Collaborative –  Supported to develop strong social skills, communication skills, collaborative learning, and problem solving.

Enrichment: Supported as whole person with regular opportunities to grow and express strengths.

  • Mental Health – Mental health needs met, curious, regularly disconnects from technology, reads for pleasure three hours or more per week.
  • Physical Health – Engages in sufficient sleep, healthy nutrition, daily physical activity and rest, and spends 20 minutes or more per day in nature.
  • Emotional Health – Sense of gratitude, joy, self-compassion, and spends three or more hours per week in creative expression.
  • Spiritual Health – Open hearted, sense of purpose, optimism for personal future, and spends one or more hours per week in spiritual community or activities.