Resources for Surviving Crisis, Trauma, or A Difficult Life Transition

As human beings, we will all experience life transitions, traumas, and crisis. This is what life is about – as a collective we all experience hardships and tragedy, in which we can collectively relate to. These difficult life moments shake up our entire world – on the individual level, and on a systemic level; meaning, once we are affected by hardship on our own individual level, it has a ripple affect in other areas of our life, including our relationships, our psychosocial and physical and spiritual health, our home life, and other aspects of our lives. This massive shake up also can negatively impact our mental health – trauma, life transitions, crises – they can bring out fear, anger, guilt, shame, sadness, and confusion. So, how do we take care of ourselves during these moments and afterwards? This blog post will discuss several suggestions for how to cope through major life events that impact your holistic well-being. 

Ideas for What To Do During Crisis and Life Transitions

• Reach out for help and support

Asking for help and support can be scary – it requires us to be vulnerable and honest with others about our biggest pain. However, research has shown that when people are vulnerable and open about their struggles with at least one other person, the outcome after the crisis is more healthy and positive. If trust and confidentiality is an issue, know that you can rely on mental health professionals and crisis resources to help you work through your struggles. 

• Focus on taking care of the basics: shelter, medical needs, food, health, safety 

Physical survival during a trauma, crisis, or life transition is essential. Assess your physical and mental health needs. Are you safe? Can you keep yourself and your family safe? If safety is at risk – this is the first thing to assess and ask help for, or to obtain resources and measures that will keep you and your family safe. If you are physically safe but are struggling with stable housing and/or obtaining food, that will be another concern that you will need to focus on and address. Local agencies focus on these specific needs and it will be important that you advocate for yourself and receive the support you need. Physical health is a priority as well – if your crisis, trauma, or life transition is directly related to a medical issue, be aware of where your nearest urgent cares are located and receive medical attention. Advocate for a treatment plan and be vocal if something physically/medically does not feel appropriate for you. 

• “Rally up your troops” – gather your support system(s) and stay connected, 

and consider starting mental health services.

During times of crisis and life transitions, it is important to stay connected with those in your life that you are closest to and trust, especially if you have healthy relationships with these individuals. Ask for their support and be honest (if you can) about what you’re going through. Isolating yourself from others during crisis is not ideal and it can exacerbate negative outcomes. Reach out to your local mental health agency, a local therapist, and start services. Mental health professionals are prepared to guide and help individuals through crisis, trauma, and life transitions. 

Ideas for What to Do Once the Crisis has Subsided/Neutralized 

There is no right or wrong way to recover from a crisis, trauma, or stressful life transition. It will take time to process and heal. Do not judge yourself and how you responded to your stressors. After the crisis is mitigated and leveled off, you can focus on healing at your own pace. Therapy can be a beneficial resource to get the support you need in order to process any grief, sadness, anxiety, or other emotions that are the outcome of what you experienced. 

If you are going through a crisis or recently came out of one and need mental health support, contact Symmetry Counseling today to get connected with one of our talented clinicians today.

Crisis Resources:

National Suicide Prevention Line: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: text “HOME” or “START” to 741741

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233