This working paper discusses the concept of psychological (or mental) resilience in the context of scenario-based play. The paper takes an exploratory approach for understanding this relatively new policy term, first by considering its theoretical background and related concepts, and then by showing how serious gaming was used as a tool for understanding the concept in action.
The paper is constructed as follows:
First, we will briefly introduce the theoretical understanding of psychological resilience as understood from academic literature and Nordic policy documents, including its links to other closely related concepts such as preparedness and total security thinking.
Next, we will share insights on how these ideas were expressed in a game scenario organised during a decision-makers’ workshop at Nordregio Forum 2025, and what the discussions during the gameplay tell us about the practice of psychological resilience.
The final annex of the working paper includes instructions to the Building Resilience game for anyone wishing to play it themselves.