Monday, November 17, 2008

Resilience


Regardless of whatever problems people bring to me, one thing I try to do with everyone is to build their individual resilience, their ability to bounce back from negative experiences, to minimise their chance of further psychological problems or of relapse post-treatment.

In some respects, it’s a little idealistic because our individual level of vulnerability varies. While some may breeze through a major life change, such as a house move or a relationship breakup, others will struggle. For some people, building resilience can be extremely hard work.

An interesting project has been launched in the Sydney Metropolitan Area to promote resilience and targeted specifically towards mental health consumers. The Seasons for Growth project, offered by the Mental Health Association of NSW in conjunction with Good Grief Ltd, is a peer education program to develop resilience, knowledge, skills and strategies to manage emotional responses to change and grief that can follow a number of life-changing experiences. The program follows the change process of the four seasons to describe the journey from identifying and naming the experience(s) to developing skills to cope and accept the changes and how to move on. The peer aspect of the program promotes the value of the life experience and the sharing of recovery journeys. If you’re interested in participating in this project, please see here.

However, if such a program is not available to you, there are a number of things you can do to build your own personal resilience. These include:

Building good, supportive relationships. This may be with family, close friends or through social interaction as appropriate for you. The important thing is to get connected, to join with others, to talk to people, to feel comfortable asking for help and allowing people to help where possible.

Build good problem-solving skills Think about how you can solve problems? Reflect on the past. What have you overcome and how did you do it? What resources are available to you? Who has been able to help you in the past?

Improve your communication skills Effective communication increases our chance of being heard and improves our confidence in asking for what we need.

Have realistic and achievable goals. Sometimes the goals we set ourselves can be overwhelming, with the consequence that we may become disheartened or even give up. Make sure your goals are realistic and increase your sense of mastery or achievement by breaking the bigger goals down into smaller manageable steps.

Maintain a sense of humour. Granted, this can be particularly difficult sometimes.

Look after yourself Both physically and mentally. Relaxation techniques can be useful but some people find them hard to implement. As with anything, the key is commitment and practice. Exercise is a good alternative, even a regular walk outside in nature.

Most importantly, learn to trust yourself. Your personal skills and instincts are very valuable.

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great list - all the points are so important :)

Donna

P.S. Thanks for your concern about the fires. We're just fine, but so many people had a very bad weekend.

shrink on the couch said...

Excellent stuff, HP! Thanks.

Awake In Rochester said...

A good list. I'd be interested in looking further into some of those points.

SeaSpray said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dr. Deb said...

This is a keeper!

Awake In Rochester said...

Your MIA. New post needed! ;o)

Van said...

Interesting post - this is one thing I've tried to work on myself on all aspects in life, but let me ask you this, as I've had this question rolling around in my head for some time.

From your perspective, does resilience also work in the negative aspect as well? Can one simply say they are "resilient" but simply ignore the underlying issue or problem that may have caused a negative experience?

How do you identify it when a person is doing so?

Best,
Van
http://vansantos.com

SeaSpray said...

I'm sorry I got so personal. It's all been bubbling over.

Anonymous said...

HP excellent stuff. I just love it.

Anonymous said...

Today Acai Berry

Anonymous said...

Those are good and simple tips for personal resilience. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Interesting post - this is one thing I've tried to work on myself on all aspects in life

alex said...

That's great share

Anonymous said...

This is really nice one and its great to share with every one it has beneficial arrangement.
Acai Berry

Acai Berry said...

I've had this question rolling around in my head for some time.

Acai Berry said...

Thanks for your concern about the fires. We're just fine, but so many people had a very bad weekend.

Acai Berry

Acai Berry said...

That was really a great post and information - just bookmarked and keep up the good work

Acai said...

Resilience also work in the negative aspect as well? Thanks for your concern about the fires.

Health care said...

utilize the website to find current hairstyles to keep up with the growing trends. We have taken experience in the hair industry and embodied that joy and love for hair in this rich content based site.

Here you will find a wealth of information to satisfy your hair curiosities. You will also find salon grade products available to you for all of your hair needs.

We certify that all images (except those contributed by users on visitor contributions pages) have been purchased by the site administrators and are royalty free. Please do not copy or remove content without our expressed written consent.

Acai said...

feel the exchanging of links would be a mutually beneficial arrangement. If you are interested in exchanging links, please feel free to email me alokdelta78@yahoo.com

Acai Berry
Colon Cleanse

Health and Fitness said...

Very beautiful blog specially i like your theme.

Beauty solutions said...

A course diet pills will essentially serve to reinforce the gains and progress made through a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

greentea said...

Thanks for this very informative post. You will also find salon grade products available to you for all of your hair needs.

Resveratrol Extract said...

Very useful links provided here.. all are Very nice.. Thank you for sharing…

Unknown said...

thanks for give me valuable information.
http://www.riyawrinklefree.com

Wrinkle Cream said...

Help me find something for my psychobabble and critical thinking project?
please I can't find anything!!! I have to locate and critically examine something I find to be psychobabble...I've looked in papers and magazines and online I can't find anything!!!! this is impossible
i have to outline a research study and show whatr steps would need to be taken to turn the false science into real science
I just need an article or something

Yeast Infection said...

A good list. I'd be interested in looking further into some of those points.

Acai

Anti Aging

yeast infection cure

Resveratrol Ultra said...

please I can't find anything!!! I have to locate and critically examine something I find to be psychobabble...I've looked in papers and magazines and online I can't find anything!!!! this is impossible
i have to outline a research study and show whatr steps would need to be taken to turn the false science into real science
I just need an article or something

Yeast Infection said...

Can one simply say they are "resilient" but simply ignore the underlying issue or problem that may have caused a negative experience?

resveratrol supplement said...

Thanks for this very informative post. This is a nice blog and will be looking forward to read more from you.Interesting post - this is one thing I've tried to work on myself on all aspects in life

buy resveratrol said...

What is the meaning of the word"resilience"?
My teacher want us to write something about ourself from the word resilience??And i don't know what it means and i don't know what to write?

Can you guys give me some example ??culner

Resveratrol said...

From your perspective, does resilience also work in the negative aspect as well? Can one simply say they are "resilient" but simply ignore the underlying issue or problem that may have caused a negative experience?

PamelaLavine said...

A good list. I'd be interested in looking further into some of those points.

buy resveratrol

neurophine said...

What can I say without being pathetic. Great post?!

Acai said...

Very useful links provided here.. all are Very nice.. Thank you for sharing…

Colon Cleanse Teeth whitening

Resveratrol said...

i have to outline a research study and show whatr steps would need to be taken to turn the false science into real science
I just need an article or something

colon cleanse Colon cleanse Acai Berry

Acai Force Max said...

Is it possible to get a balance of resilience and change in the environment or has there never been a balance? After all species are rising and falling all the time, so is there a balance?

Acai Berry said...

All the points are important for this purpose but first 3 are most important.

Colon Cleanse

Colon Cleanse

Unknown said...

pest control mesa

Unknown said...

it is one of the rarest ability that one can possess. Sometimes we face some situations from which we can never bounce back.
Acai Berry

Unknown said...

Children are innately resilient. If we are honest with them and explain complex subject matters to them at a cognitive level that they can comprehend, they will absorb the information and accept it as an integral part of their mental function.
Acai Max

Acai Berry Weight Loss said...

Heya..thanks for the post and great tips..even I also think that hard work is the most important aspect of getting success.
Acai Berries

Acai Berry Weight Loss said...

Thanks for the nice post. I am expecting some different idea from your side. You always represent some new thought in your post.
Acai Berry Diet
How To Get Pregnant Fast
Acai Max Cleanse

Acai Berry Detox said...

THANK YOU FOR GOOD INFORMATION NICE COLLECTION

Premature ejaculation said...

Do not really get what your post is all about....

acai-berries said...

nice thank you for this

acai fit said...

thank you for list

Teeth Whitening said...

hat was really a great post and information - just bookmarked and keep up the good work

p90x said...

i never read contain over this topic and you clear all my view in first time only..


get rid of stretch marks

ashily pit said...

i wants to know more of it

Best Electronic Cigarette