Building Resilience

Summary

This video discusses the concept of resilience, exploring how individuals can thrive amid adversity, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines resilience as both an innate personality trait and a skill that can be developed through coping mechanisms like meditation, problem-solving, and seeking support. The video highlights vulnerable groups such as youth and women, detailing their unique challenges. It also offers practical suggestions for supporting mental health, including community efforts and personal strategies for fostering resilience, with a focus on mental health resources and education to promote well-being.

Takeaways

• 😀 Resilience is both an innate trait and a skill that can be developed, influenced by individual personality and external factors like community and societal support.
• 😀 The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that lack of social support and basic needs were the strongest predictors of mental distress, including stress, anxiety, and depression.
• 😀 Vulnerable groups during the pandemic include youth (16-25 years) and women, with youth facing challenges related to brain development, lifestyle, and social isolation.
• 😀 Adolescents are especially vulnerable to mental health issues because their brains are still developing, making it harder for them to cope with stress and emotions.
• 😀 Women's higher rates of stress and mental health issues are linked to biological factors, gender norms, caregiving roles, and systemic inequality, including lower wages and higher rates of abuse.
• 😀 Resilience skills, like mindfulness, problem-solving, and acceptance, are more effective in reducing stress than coping mechanisms like excessive distraction or social support-seeking.
• 😀 In times of crisis, ecological resilience is crucial, meaning that support from families, institutions, and communities can facilitate individual resilience.
• 😀 Parents can support their children by encouraging healthy routines, allowing emotional expression, and fostering independence while teaching coping strategies for challenges.
• 😀 Schools and workplaces can play an essential role in promoting resilience by offering mental health resources, providing flexible schedules, and checking in with students and employees.
• 😀 Mental health resources, such as Katatagan Online, offer free self-care tools and support programs, including resilience-building classes to help individuals manage stress and improve well-being.
• 😀 It’s important to recognize that resilience is not about being perfect but about learning how to cope, adapt, and grow through adversity, with the help of support systems.

Q & A

What is resilience, and can it be learned?

Resilience is the ability to thrive amidst adversity and to bounce back from challenging situations. It is both an innate trait and a skill that can be developed over time through various strategies, such as problem-solving, meditation, and seeking support.

What does the ecological perspective of resilience emphasize?

The ecological perspective of resilience highlights the role of not only individual resources but also the importance of family, community, and societal support in enabling resilience. Resilience is seen as contextual, meaning it is influenced by these external resources as well as individual traits.

What were the main stressors identified during the COVID-19 pandemic survey?

The main stressors identified in the survey were the lack of social support, the overwhelming news about COVID-19, and the lack of access to basic needs. Other stressors included increased responsibilities, illness, exposure to COVID, and loss of income.

Which age group was found to be the most vulnerable during the pandemic, and why?

The age group most vulnerable during the pandemic was 16-25 years old. This group faced heightened stress, anxiety, and depression, partly due to the emotional and physical changes of adolescence, the lack of peer support, and lifestyle factors like poor sleep and diet.

What factors contribute to the vulnerability of women during the pandemic?

Women tend to be more vulnerable due to a combination of biological factors, such as hormonal changes, and societal gender norms, which place a greater burden on women to manage family and work responsibilities. Additionally, women are more likely to experience lower-status jobs, economic inequality, and higher rates of abuse.

What are some strategies that can be used to support youth during difficult times?

To support youth, it’s important to encourage healthy routines, such as regular exercise, good sleep, and a balanced diet. Additionally, parents should model resilience, listen without judgment, and provide emotional support while allowing them to face challenges and learn from them.

What is the significance of the mental health pyramid shared in the presentation?

The mental health pyramid illustrates different levels of support needed during crises. At the base, fulfilling basic needs is crucial. The second level focuses on supporting those with mild distress, which can be done by families or paraprofessionals. The top level targets those with severe distress who require professional help.

How can schools and employers support resilience during challenging times?

Schools and employers can provide financial, material, and technological support, check in with students and employees, offer flexible expectations, and promote mental health programs. Creating a culture of care, where people are asked about their well-being, can also be helpful.

What is 'Katatagan Online,' and how does it help in building resilience?

'Katatagan Online' is a mental health resource created to help individuals build resilience skills. It offers free resources, links to mental health service providers, and resilience classes that teach various skills like stress management, positive thinking, and problem-solving.

What have been the results of the resilience classes offered by 'Katatagan Online'?

Participants in the resilience classes reported improvements in resilience skills, as well as reductions in anxiety, stress, and depression. The six-week program also led to improvements in overall well-being, as shown in pre- and post-tests conducted among pilot participants.