During times of widespread crisis, it is not uncommon for individuals to experience elevated levels of stress, anxiety, and emotional distress. While everyone is affected to some degree, there is a group of people who unexpectedly demonstrate an increased resilience during such challenging moments – those who have lived with mental health challenges.

Mental health issues pose a significant burden on daily functioning and often involve a continual struggle for those affected. These individuals may have faced difficulties in socializing, maintaining employment, or balancing personal responsibilities due to the persistent impact of their condition.

Now imagine a crisis that disrupts the status quo and pushes everyone into a state of distress and anxiety. For those who have not previously encountered such significant challenges, this can come as a shock, causing them to experience heightened levels of fear and helplessness. But for mental health survivors, encountering these emotions is nothing new – they may have been battling them for years.

In the face of adversity, these individuals demonstrate an unexpected level of resilience drawn from their experiences dealing with mental health challenges. How do they do this? Through coping skills and strategies they have developed over time to navigate difficult circumstances.

These coping skills serve as invaluable tools in responding to crises effectively. Whether it be through establishing daily routines to create a sense of control; practicing grounding techniques, meditation or yoga; or just talking about it and expressing emotions in a beneficial way. These skill sets offer support during such hard times.

Thus, as society at large deals with crisis-induced anxiety and feelings of despair that were once unfamiliar territory for many, those who experienced mental health issues find themselves better equipped to help others weather the storm. By sharing their coping strategies and supporting others in navigating their emotions, they emerge as valuable resources in troubled times.

As a society, we spend time and resources preparing ourselves for times of crisis – strengthening walls for earthquakes, placing fire stations, training rescuere teams, equipping hospitals and building shelters are all evidence to that. It seems we know how to strengthen our phsical walls better than we know how to manage our mental ones.
Times of crisis may be a good reminder for us, individuals and society, to reflect about the resources we have to deal with crisis and reassess our priorities. Addressing mental health is essential every day and to everyone, not just those who struggle most with mental health challenges and not only when everything is falling apart.


In conclusion, it is the long-standing battle with mental health challenges that offers these individuals exceptional insight into handling crisis-induced distress and anxiety. Their resilience and ability to share learned coping strategies provide hope for those struggling to adapt. Although the challenges faced by mental health survivors are not to be trivialized, the unique experiences that come with navigating such struggles equips them to be uniquely effective resources for others during times of crisis which puts an important spotlight on the subject of mental health and how much we address it (or don’t) in standard routine.

Strive for peace, compassion and humanity and stay safe 🙏