5 Key Strategies for Enhancing Resilience Counseling

Resilience Counseling

As a Marine, resilience counseling means more than just bouncing back from hardship. To me, it is bigger than bending and not breaking as I say, or stretching and not snapping. Resilience is about transforming from the inside out so you can stand the test of time, no matter the trial.

As good as this may sound, being resilient is often easier said than done. Building resiliency takes time, energy, effort, and more importantly, facing it head on.

According to the American Psychological Association, “Resilience is the process of adapting to challenges,  through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility”. Resilience is a crucial skill that helps high-stress professionals like military, law enforcement, and first responders thrive under pressure. A major issue in communities that challenge resilience is the demand for a high level of emotional and mental fortitude. Without proper training and development, many remain highly stressed and without effective release methods.

So, people may ask “Why don’t people release and ask for help ahead of time?” To answer this question, you must first understand the barriers to mental health counseling.

Cultural Stigma

In environments that value toughness and autonomy, admitting the need for psychological help can be seen as being weak. Because of this, it is hidden at all costs. In addition to this, with the fear of promotion denials, duty station preferences removed, and career progression being in jeopardy, it is easier to suffer in silence and just “suck it up”.

Awareness Issues

Often, there is a lack of understanding about the symptoms of mental health struggles due to poor education. Poor sleep and mood swings are seen as typical behaviors, the reality is their ability to recognize feelings is off.

Access to Resources

In remote or highly demanding jobs, finding accessible mental health services can be difficult, adding to stress levels.

The Crucial Role of Specialized Resilience Counseling

The availability of resilience counseling and counselors trained in military, law enforcement, and first responder pressures is key. These professionals are not just therapists; they are confidants who understand the challenges and can tailor their approaches accordingly. Here’s the catch. They must be authentic! Effective resilience counseling can enhance resilience by providing strategies that are directly applicable to the daily challenges and professional dilemmas but if it isn’t authentic, it could create another barrier, similar to what was mentioned before. Trust me I know. Here’s what we need to do.

Removing the Stigma

Reducing the stigma associated with mental health counseling requires efforts on both communal and personal levels. At the institutional level, organizations should prioritize mental health just as much as physical health. This would promote an organizational culture that respects and supports psychological well-being and provides a safe place for the expression of emotion.

Individuals, especially those in leadership positions, can make a major impact by openly discussing their experiences with mental health challenges and counseling which would normalize these conversations within their communities. Even if everyone doesn’t get on board right away, it’s a step in the right direction.

Those Who Matter Most

Bringing everything together, the heart of resilience in high-stress professions is not just about personal transformation but also about fostering a supportive environment that extends beyond the individual to their loved ones. Family members, who often bear the brunt of the emotional spill-over from high-stress jobs, deserve to interact with the best version of their loved ones. By actively addressing mental health challenges through conversations with peers, seniors, subordinates, and counselors, individuals can prevent their work-related stresses from overshadowing family interactions. This approach not only benefits the professional but also protects and enhances the quality of family life. Breaking the cycle of silence and stigma is essential for long-term resilience, ensuring that those who serve us can do so without undue personal sacrifice, and preserve the sanctity and well-being of family life.

Challenge

I ask that you commit to assessing your mental health this month. Take a knee and take the bold step of seeking help. You answer many calls that require bravery. This challenge is an opportunity to strengthen yourself and demonstrate what it takes to build resilience. Let this act of courage be a turning point, showcasing how vulnerability can be a gateway to immense personal and professional growth.

Semper Fidelis
Dimyas Perdue, Director of Military Solutions for TalentSmartEQ

For more information, please check out additional resources at: www.talentsmarteq.com. For more strategies that can help you improve your leadership and organizational health, check out our training programs or contact us.

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