Group training that builds cohesive, healthy groups is promising for upstream prevention and is essential for ecological validity. SNH uses group skill building for group cohesion, shared purpose, and healthy norms. This strength-based approach differs from existing intervention style programming which focuses on detecting and remediating risk after identifying individuals.
Traditional Trainings
Strengths
Expert Knowledge
Skills taught
Opportunity to practice relationships
Interactive questions
Limitations
Lack of personal meaningfulness
Little social support for skills
Need your network to strengthen
Learning may not be reinforced
Natural social networks: The focus of the prevention process
Engaging the social context where protective factors are naturally built and sustained.
Healthy members ‘drive others’ towards strengths through sharing healthy norms.
Vulnerable members naturally benefit through new relationships.
Moving From an Individual Focus to a Group Focus
Moving from a focus of individual skills to recognizing and developing group strengths.
Reflecting on how group strengths benefit individuals and the group.
Extending these benefits to the larger group.
Supports formation of key relationship and culture.
Groups became increasingly unified, exhibiting a shared commitment to healthy norms, and actively encouraged peers in help-seeking behaviors, fostering a supportive environment where every member feels valued and understood.
Social Network Health's interactive training fostered an even more dynamic relationship network. Within these groups, vulnerable members can draw strength from adaptive members, leading to more changes in who they identify as valued connections.
Schools have reported significant improvements in various metrics, including increased daily attendance, higher graduation rates, enhanced identification of Trusted Adults, greater willingness to seek help, and improved connectedness among students and staff. Additionally, school disciplinary issues have notably declined, reflecting the program's positive impact on the school climate and student well-being.
Network Enhancing
Facilitation Strategies
Creating an environment for collaborative learning to develop protective strengths and networks through:
Peer to Peer Learning
Personal Meaningfulness
Active and distributed Format
Authentic Connection
From Individual To Group Focus
Moving from a focus of individual skills to recognizing and developing group strengths.
Reflecting on how group strengths benefit individuals and the group.
Extending these benefits to the larger group.
Supports formation of key relationship and culture Intentional scaffolding.
