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This interactive workshop will examine what contemporary neuroscience can tell us about how adolescents experience and respond to stress. Participants will explore how the developing brain adapts to challenge differently from children and adults, and why some young people are more vulnerable to the negative effects of stress than others, and how supportive relationships and environments can help foster resilience.

DATE: Tuesday 1 December 2026

TIME: 12pm-2pm

PRICE: Third sector professionals: £60 per person or Buy 5 Get 1 Free (6 tickers for £300); private sector professionals: £100 per person

Online via Teams

TARGETED AT: This workshop is designed for anyone who supports adolescents and young adults, whether in a professional, educational, healthcare, community, or parenting/caregiving capacity. It will be particularly relevant to teachers, pastoral and safeguarding staff, youth workers, social workers, educational psychologists, NHS and mental health practitioners, family support workers, parents and carers, and those working within voluntary and community organisations. The workshop will also be of interest to students and trainees in psychology, education, social work, nursing, and related disciplines.

Speaker: Dr Liat Levita, Reader in Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience

Adolescence is a period of substantial biological, psychological and social change. While many young people navigate this transition successfully, others experience challenges that can affect their wellbeing and mental health. Stress is often assumed to be an inevitable and negative part of adolescence, yet contemporary research suggests a more complex picture. Adaptive levels of stress are a necessary part of a healthy life and development and can promote learning, growth, and resilience. In contrast, chronic, severe, or overwhelming stress can have significant adverse effects on wellbeing, mental health and development. This interactive workshop will examine what contemporary neuroscience can tell us about how adolescents experience and respond to stress. Participants will explore how the developing brain adapts to challenge differently from children and adults, and why some young people are more vulnerable to the negative effects of stress than others, and how supportive relationships and environments can help foster resilience. Through case examples, discussion, and breakout activities, participants will be encouraged to reflect on common assumptions about adolescent stress and consider how insights from neuroscience can inform the ways in which professionals, parents, and carers support young people.

No prior knowledge of biology/neuroscience is required.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Describe how stress affects the developing adolescent brain.
• Distinguish between adaptive and harmful forms of stress.
• Identify factors that increase vulnerability to stress-related difficulties.
• Understand the role of relationships, social environments and belonging in promoting resilience.
• Apply neuroscience-informed principles to their professional and caring practice with young people.

We will email you the access link to this workshop, and instructions on how to join, few days before the workshop scheduled date. All attendees will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the workshop.

If you are booking for multiple attendees, or on behalf of someone else, please email us at socialchangehub@sussex.ac.uk to let us know the names of the attendees.

For enquiries, please contact us at socialchangehub@sussex.ac.uk.

By purchasing the ticket, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and cancellation policy. Please read out terms and conditions and cancellation policy on Sussex Social Change Hub website.