We need to strengthen our mental resilience

What’s at stake?

When uncertainty takes hold, we feel it — in our bodies, in our relationships, and in how we see ourselves and each other.

We’re living through a time of growing unrest. War and conflict shake our sense of safety. Financial worries creep into daily life. The climate crisis weighs heavier with each passing year. And rapid shifts in technology are changing the very fabric of society.

• The brain can go into overdrive — constantly searching for solutions. But without a clear way forward, it can lead to ongoing stress.
• Decision-making becomes harder.
  Sometimes doing nothing feels safer than risking the wrong choice.
• You may start to withdraw.
  Many people keep things to themselves — but isolation often makes things worse.
• You may become more defensive or irritable.
  Stress distorts how we see the world. We might reject help we actually need or react to threats that aren’t really there.
• The sense of community around you can weaken.
  In times of unrest, mistrust and division tend to grow. When we feel threatened, we look for someone to blame instead of looking for solutions.

Over time, prolonged uncertainty can leave us more anxious, stressed, vulnerable, and less able to trust others. It clouds our judgment and increases the risk of mental health problems.

When people don’t feel safe, they often turn to simple answers — and clear-cut enemies.

Resilient communities

When life changes, when uncertainty grows, or when the unexpected hits — how do we stay steady?

Mental resilience is about our ability to cope with what we can’t control.
It’s about knowing our own limits and our strengths. And it’s about what we build around us: safety, connection, and the systems that help us get through hard times.

That’s why we need:

• Workplaces, schools, and communities that take real steps to include, build trust, and create a sense of belonging
• Knowledge about what helps when things get tough
• A culture that can handle discomfort and difference — and sees mental challenges as a natural part of life
• Strong social structures that protect us when crisis hits

We can handle more when we understand what we’re facing, know our own boundaries — and have support when we need it.

We’re more resilient when our surroundings give us something to lean on.

We need to strengthen our mental resilience

We know the coming years may be challenging. The question is: How do we face it - together?

• How can we prepare workplaces, schools, and local communities to become more mentally resilient?
• What can we learn from those who’ve lived through major life upheavals before us?
• And what can we do today to stand stronger tomorrow?

Human beings are built to endure — but not alone. Mental resilience isn’t about eliminating uncertainty. It’s about finding strength in how we meet it.

When we share our experiences, build connection, and focus on what we can influence, we become more resilient — as individuals and as a society.

Tomorrow has always been uncertain. We need to strengthen our mental resilience.