Over the last couple of decades, families and schools worldwide have been affected by numerous challenges associated with diverse negative consequences at various levels. Promotion of mental health and resilience is essential in order for school communities to effectively cope with adversity and can be achieved by concurrently addressing difficulties and enhancing strengths. A multilevel approach linking theory, research, training and practice for supporting school and educational communities during unsettling times, developed by the Laboratory of School Psychology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, will be presented. Selective interventions addressing several difficult events that affect school communities will be discussed, such as programs addressing issues related to the economic recession, natural disasters and most recently the COVID-10 pandemic. A holistic and continuous examination of needs, strengths and resources allows for evidence-based and theory-driven services to be tailored accordingly and thus to respond to local community needs in the aftermath of challenging periods. This multi-level approach, which is based on a conceptual framework, involves a series of actions, including research, in-service and academic training, development of resources, consultation, interventions and collaboration with schools and other agencies at a local, national and international level. The approach highlights further the important role of universities in bridging the gap between research, training, and practice in the field of school psychology, providing a transnational approach in supporting school and academic communities in the face of adversity.
Chryse (Sissy) Hatzichristou is professor of School Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.