October 10 is World Mental Health Day. The day aims to bridge the gap between existing mental health status and awareness of it. Today we spoke to Dr Bhavna Barmi, HOD, Stress and Wellbeing Clinic at Fortis Group of Hospitals about how to ensure mental wellbeing and the importance of resilience in mental health. What does resilience mean in the context of mental wellbeing and why is it important? dr. Barmi: With over 2 decades as a clinical psychologist, my understanding of resilience is the client’s ability to adapt, recover and thrive in the face of adversity, trauma, stress or significant life challenges. It involves a dynamic process of emotional, psychological, and social adjustment that enables a person to maintain a sense of psychological well-being and functional ability despite adverse circumstances. If I must add from a professional perspective, I have observed that resilience-building strategies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, stress management, and support networks play a key role in helping individuals improve their mental well-being. Recognizing the importance of resilience and actively working to develop it can lead to a mentally healthier and more fulfilling life. Can you share personal or professional experiences that highlight the importance of resilience in overcoming mental health challenges? dr. Barmi: When working with clients, assessing the threshold of a person’s ability to cope with stressful situations helps you understand. I can certainly share examples from a professional standpoint that illustrate the importance of resilience in overcoming mental health challenges: Case Post – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): I once worked with a military veteran who developed severe PTSD after combat experiences. Despite intense emotional and psychological trauma, this person showed exceptional resilience. Through a combination of therapy, a support network, and coping strategies, they gradually reclaimed their lives, resolved their symptoms, and even began helping other veterans deal with similar challenges. Their journey demonstrated the power of resilience in rebuilding mental well-being after profound trauma. Substance Abuse Recovery: Another example is a client who has struggled with substance abuse for years. Despite several relapses and the physical and emotional toll it took, they eventually embraced recovery with incredible resilience. Their determination, along with therapy and a supportive environment, enabled them to achieve and maintain sobriety. This case highlights how resilience can lead to positive changes in dealing with addiction. Career setbacks and mental health: I have worked with professionals who have faced significant career setbacks, such as job loss or stagnation, leading to feelings of worthlessness and depression. Through therapy and resilience-building techniques, many of them have been able to reframe their perspective, regain confidence and, in some cases, move on to more fulfilling careers. Their ability to recover and adapt is a testament to the importance of resilience in mental well-being, especially in the face of professional challenges. Academic stress and students: I have counseled numerous students who struggle with academic stress, anxiety and pressure to perform. Those who cultivated resilience not only managed their stress, but also learned from their failures. They used these experiences as opportunities for growth, ultimately achieving their academic goals while maintaining good mental health. These professional experiences emphasize that resilience is not about avoiding adversity, but about developing the skills and mindset to effectively navigate challenges. It is a quality that empowers individuals to face mental health obstacles head-on, learn from them and emerge stronger and more resilient than before. It is a key component of the recovery process for many mental health conditions, demonstrating that even in the face of severe hardship, positive change and growth is possible through resilience. What are some common stressors or triggers that can affect mental well-being and how can individuals build resilience to deal with them? dr. Barmi: Common stressors or triggers that can affect mental well-being include various life events, circumstances and daily challenges. Building resilience is key to effectively dealing with these stressors. Here are some common stressors and strategies for building resilience: Work-related stress: Causes of stress: High workloads, deadlines, conflicts, job insecurity. Building resilience: Time management, setting boundaries, seeking support, practicing stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness. Relationship problems: Stressors: Conflicts with family, friends or romantic partners. Building resilience: Effective communication, conflict resolution skills, seeking therapy or counseling when needed, maintaining a support network. Financial pressure: Causes of stress: Debt, financial instability, job loss. Building Resilience : Budgeting, financial planning, seeking financial advice, researching financial advice, researching additional sources of income, managing expectations. Health challenges: Causes of stress: Illness, chronic health conditions, disability. Building resilience: Self-care routines, following medical advice, seeking emotional support, focusing on achievable goals. Loss and Grief: Stressors: Death of a loved one, divorce, separation. Building Resilience: Grief Counseling, Support Groups, Allowing Grief, Creating Rituals for Closure. Academic pressure: Stressors: Exams, assignments, performance expectations. Building resilience: Time management, seeking academic support, maintaining a balanced schedule, practicing stress reduction techniques. Major life changes: Causes of stress: moving, marriage, parenthood, retirement. Building resilience: Planning, adapting to change, seeking guidance or counselling, maintaining a connection with social networks. Traumatic events: Stressors: Natural disasters, accidents, violence. Building resilience: Trauma therapy, seeking professional help, building a strong support system, practicing relaxation techniques. Social isolation: Stressors: Loneliness, lack of social connections. Building resilience: Actively seek out social interactions, join clubs or groups, volunteer, support online communities. Uncertainty and anxiety: Causes of stress: Uncertainty about the future, generalized anxiety. Building resilience: cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and relaxation practices, setting achievable short-term goals. Discrimination and prejudice: causes of stress: racial, gender or other forms of discrimination. Building resilience: seeking support from advocacy groups, raising awareness, self-help strategies, education and empowerment. Building resilience to deal with these stressors involves developing emotional intelligence, problem-solving skills and a growth mindset. It also includes seeking professional help when needed, maintaining a support network, practicing self-compassion and embracing adaptability. Resilience is a dynamic quality that can be cultivated over time and serves as a key protection against the negative impact of stressors on mental well-being. How do coping strategies differ from person to person, and what are some universally effective techniques for managing stress and maintaining mental health? dr. Barmi: Coping strategies really vary from person to person because they are influenced by individual personality traits, experiences and preferences. What works effectively for one person may not be so useful for another. However, there are some universally effective techniques for managing stress and maintaining mental health that can be tailored to individual needs. Here’s an overview: Universal Coping Strategies: Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing mindfulness and meditation techniques can help individuals stay present, reduce anxiety, and improve overall mental well-being. This approach involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Physical activity: regular exercise is known to reduce stress hormones and release endorphins, which naturally lift the mood. Various forms of physical activity, from walking to yoga to team sports, can be effective. Healthy lifestyle choices: Prioritizing a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and avoiding excessive alcohol and drug use can have a positive impact on mental health and stress management. Social support: Maintaining a strong social connection and seeking support from friends and family can be an invaluable coping strategy. Sharing worries and feelings with trusted people can provide emotional relief. Time management: Effective time management and setting realistic goals can reduce stress related to work or personal responsibilities. Time management techniques, such as creating schedules and to-do lists, can be universally useful Journaling: Journaling to express thoughts and emotions can be a constructive way to process stressors and clarify one’s feelings. It provides an outlet for self-reflection and emotional release. Relaxation techniques: Techniques such as deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization can help calm the body’s response to stress and promote relaxation. Seeking Professional Help: In cases of severe stress or mental health conditions, seeking help from a mental health professional is universally effective. Therapists, counselors and psychiatrists can provide tailored strategies and support. Individual Variability in Coping: Although these universal techniques can be useful, it is important to recognize that individuals have unique coping styles and preferences. Here’s how coping strategies can differ: Coping Preferences: Some individuals may prefer physical activities like running, while others may find solace in creative outlets like painting or playing music. Personality Traits: Introverts may lean toward solitary activities, such as reading or gardening, to relieve stress, while extroverts may seek social interactions. Cultural factors: Cultural background can influence coping strategies. For example, meditation practices rooted in Eastern traditions may resonate more with some individuals. Past experiences: Past experiences, particularly trauma, can shape individual coping mechanisms. Some may have developed adaptive strategies, while others may struggle with less effective coping mechanisms. Individualized Approaches: Therapy can help individuals identify and develop coping strategies tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. Ultimately, effective coping strategies are those that help an individual reduce stress and maintain mental well-being. The key is to experiment with different techniques and seek professional guidance as needed to identify coping strategies that best suit each person’s individual needs.
Categories: Trending
Source: newstars.edu.vn