The path to healing is different for every individual, but we have one thing in common — we need each other’s support and encouragement. We need to know that someone cares, and that we deserve a better life. With support, we can begin our journey to healing.
We all play a role. If we help each other grow stronger and more resilient to life’s adversities, we will build a stronger community.
Resilience is understanding that grief, sadness and anger are natural and normal after tragedy, adversity and loss.
Just as physical activities can make us more fit, there are steps to help us grow mentally and emotionally stronger—and eventually more resilient to life’s challenges. Building resilience is an ongoing process that requires time, effort and support. It is a journey that offers healing as its destination.
RECOGNIZE that we need to take action. Hoping problems will go away won’t work. We must take steps to heal. Setting small, realistic goals can give us a sense of accomplishment and a feeling that we are moving forward with our lives.
INVEST in ourselves. Begin to recognize how our lifestyle feeds our spirit or depletes it. Learn to do things that we love. Be kind to ourselves. As a result, we develop more confidence and resilience.
SEEK support from professionals. A “trauma-informed” counselor or therapist who understands the potential impact of traumatic events can help guide us on our journey to healing.
ENGAGE in healthy and supportive relationships. Turn to safe family members and friends. Make sure we are surrounded by people who care about us, understand what we are going through and will listen to our struggles.
Millions of people have found a path to healing from trauma and gone on to lead happy, productive lives. If we support that journey, as a community we can rise together.
Sometimes we don’t consider certain events as significant or impactful as they might be. Oftentimes, we don’t connect that experience of adversity or trauma with other difficulties we could be experiencing – emotionally, in relationships, in our mood, even in our physical health!
That’s where working on our mental wellness comes in. This can take any number of forms, from practicing mindfulness or yoga, to taking up an activity, to joining an interest group to adopting a pet.
In many cases, having trustworthy people who can help us “connect the dots” is really important. It can be difficult to know where to even begin looking for someone trustworthy to talk to. Sometimes that person can be a friend, pastor, spiritual mentor teacher or coach. At others, depending on our individual situation, we might need to seek help from a professional counselor.
We provide ideas on how to determine ways to identify a person or people who will provide us the support we truly need. Recognize & Rise’s partners have taken a pledge to deliver trauma-informed care by creating safe and welcoming environments to all who seek support.
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