Psychological Distress and Building Resilience

Psychological distress is associated with poor mental health, especially depression and anxiety. A complex combination of biological and environmental factors can influence people’s mental health, including the stressors and subsequent distress they may experience.  Working in challenging environments can increase the risk of emotional exhaustion and emotional stress which may present as physical, emotional and behavioural stress reactions and responses. These reactions can be particularly pertinent when bearing witness to or processing potentially distressing information  that may contradict our deeply held moral beliefs and expectations.

Prolonged stress and distress can lead to chronic mental and physical illness, often resulting in decreased performance, low morale and ultimately sick absence.  It is vital that we learn how to recognise stress reactions, whether they are as a result of direct or indirect exposure to challenging situations. Moreover, it is equally important to recognise that we can be deeply affected by absorbing others’ pain in times of their distress. This vicarious distress affects our own well-being, potentially leading to a sense of dissatisfaction, helplessness and sometimes hopelessness which may result in “burnout”. Given this we should try to actively address the root cause of these distressing situations and the adverse reactions and responses they might cause.

Strongmind’s Psychological Distress and Building Resilience Course  is designed to enable individuals to cope with the adverse responses and reactions that are sometimes caused by distressing situations.