Mental Health Matters: Resiliency

By Director of Mental Health Services Griselda Williams

Resiliency--Webster’s dictionary lists the definition for resiliency as “the ability to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens” and “the ability of something to return to its original shape after it has been pulled, stretched, pressed, bent, etc.” 

I have been reading a social work book; Resiliency: An Integrated Approach to Practice, Policy and Research, Edited by Roberta R. Greene—boring title I know,  but very informative and supportive of those in the midst of difficult times and their ability to persevere. In this book there are several definitions discussed about what resiliency really means. One of the definitions stated, “Resilience usually is used to describe individuals who adapt to extraordinary circumstances, achieving positive and unexpected outcomes in the face of adversity.” 

The big difference that I see between Webster’s definition and those discussed in this book, people who have studied the human experience, is the recognition that resiliency is defined by how one manages during adversity versus Webster’s definition that focuses on how one bounces back after adversity. 

Not long ago, I came in contact with a person that clearly was able to “adapt to extraordinary circumstances, achieving positive and unexpected outcomes in the face of adversity” as that individual was homeless and living in a car with family members. As this individual shared efforts to adapt their living situation so their family members would be able to have a shower, have a hot meal, do homework and be able to run and play, like other’ families who have a stable place to live, I was moved tremendously. I thought if this individual can do this in the face of so much adversity what would they be able to do should they have a stable place to live for themselves and their family members. 

This individual’s story reminded me of the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, a 2006 American biographical drama film based on Chris Gardner's nearly one-year struggle with homelessness. Chris Gardner and his young son, being homeless, were forced at one point to stay in a restroom at a subway station and they had to carry all of their possessions in cast off shopping bags. Yet, Mr. Gardner kept his son in school, kept him fed, showed him love and was able to secure employment. 

Sometime later, Chris Gardner went on to form his own multi-million dollar brokerage firm. 

During an interview with Mr. Gardner and his son, Christopher on the Oprah Winfrey show, Christopher (then in his 30’s) shared that he was not aware that he and his father were homeless. He shared being aware that he and his father moved around a lot, but he had no idea they would have been identified as “homeless”.  

This is another great example of resiliency, like the individual I met some time ago. That individual and their family have recently became residents at Community LINC. I think we have another Chris Gardner in our midst.