Mental health and resilience - the secrets of inner strength | DW Documentary

Around one billion people struggle with stress-related illness globally - and that figure is rising. What protects those with good mental health? Is their resilience innate? Or is the ability to withstand chronic stress and crisis something that can be learned?

In the search for answers, the film visits some of the leading figures in resilience research. The filmmakers also interview epigeneticists and neuroscientists. In the largest European resilience center in Mainz, Germany, researchers conduct a long-term study to explore the mechanisms deployed by people who enjoy good mental health despite stress and crisis. In southern France, the film meets Boris Cyrulnik, a pioneer of resilience research. His credo: when it comes to resilient behavior, it’s not just down to us - society and politics also have a responsibility to create appropriate conditions for stable psychological health. And the film tells the moving story of two families united by tragedy: following the violent death of their two sons, who were friends, they struggle to find their way back to some semblance of normal life.

Our experiences, our environment and our genes - all influence our powers of mental resilience. Resilience isn’t a magic word or a promise of happiness, but a life-long learning process.

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[tebogomalebana]

I got divorced in 2016, I lost my job, lost all of my properties and material things, including most of my clothes. My mother was murdered in 2017. I was involved in a car accident in 28th Dec 2018. Lost my job again 2019. I got Covid 19 and was hospitalized was in ICU in 2021 for 10 days. But I bounced back because of resilience and mind power. Now I'm running marathons and competed a few and got medaka🥉 and I will running my 1st Ultra Marathon 87km on the 9th of June 2024. Whatever you are going through stay resilient and grow through it.. If I can do it so can you.

[Aybeliv_Aykenflaev]

One of my favourite phrases:
"You cant even imagine how strong you can be when being strong is the only option you have".

[dkgfywx]

What helped me cope with destabilizing experiences: exercise, enough sleep, meditation, support group, reading, journal writing,

[monicaperez]

I had a friend that graduated with straight A's from MIT in electrical engineering. When he found work, he couldn't take the stress and had a mental breakdown. He went to school and became an electronics technician. Then he searched for a job, not mentioning he was a MIT graduate. His new employer was very happy to have a bright straight-A electronics technician.

[qizhang]

i got depressed in 2020 because of the huge work stress after i was promoted manager, i should felt happy about it and people comgrat to me, but the huge work load made me feel super stessful, i could not fall asleep and i feel dizzy everyday, finally i quitted my job and start travel fishing and do whatever i want to do, i finally overcame from the nightmare. people always worry too much, worry lossing and want more, when you think anout, the only thing matters is the life, all other thing is not big deal, think simple, demand less, dont pay attention to others, pay attention to youself.

[olygarcia]

I have a friend that lost 4 of her children in an accident. I can’t belive her resiliance. She decided to live every day as they wil like to see her: with a smile. Humans like her are amazing.

[pandecocojam]

Being okay with being weak sometimes opens the path to resilience. You don't beat yourself up when you fail so you dust yourself off, and soldier on.

[yengsabio]

I always say this: allow yourself to be stressed; it is normal. But never allow yourself to be overstressed; you might not cope up.

[ahmedal-muqbel]

“You can’t change the situation, but you can control it- you can’t change the stressor, but you can control your reaction to it”- very powerful statement. Stay healthy, everyone!

[smileywiley]

I just got discharged from a temporary mental health facility a few days ago. It's a struggle. I wish I knew the answer I would comment it but I don't. Just know you're not alone out there

[antonfernando]

My condolences to Freddie and luka, the 2 teens, what a loss.

[FauziaPires]

I remember what my mother told me when I was in school during exam time.... Do your best leave the rest to I feel so relax when I think of this sentence till date.

[heathergrahame]

What gives us resilience is knowing - really knowing - that the difficult situation will eventually change and pass. We have the seasons to remind us of that. Yes, there is winter but it always, always, always changes into spring, and then summer, and then fall/autumn, and then winter again.
Don't ever think that a situation will last forever, even if it's a good situation. Appreciate the good when it's there and wring out as much joy from it as you can, and, when winter comes, know that you will make it through. Don't fight it. Don't hate it. Just let it go through its wintery motions, whatever it needs to do, and it will eventually change.

[shourov]

I'm at very very low point of my life. Feeling stressed or depressed would be a less describing term for me. I couldn't hold my tears while watching this wonderful documentary. My prayers for all the souls that are suffering in silence. May they find the best way to conquer their fear.

[Whywhatwherehowwhen]

I’ve got a neurological illness that causes excruciating pain every day. I’ve had it for 6 years. If you’d told me 6 years ago I’d have been able to put up with it for this long I wouldn’t have believed you. It’s amazing what you can get through if you take one day at a time.

[cuebal]

One of my friends who was a post doc researcher at CEA, quit and is now a school teacher somewhere in a remote village in France, seems to be living a happy fulfilling life.

[yesic]

It's an awful feeling when you're grieving a family member and the rest of the family puts you down. You can't get a break lol. I just needed a hug.

[constantin]

I found resilience in the positivity, calmness, and kindness that I cultivated over a lifetime. I probably wouldn't have made it if I had been angry, negative, and sad.

[Venus-gnoi]

I’ve faced major challenges from early on and throughout of my life. I swore to myself at a very young age no matter what that I won’t be trying to numb the pain in any form or shape. So never did escapism in alcohol, dr*gs and such, I acknowledged the difficulty and the pain, stayed true to my core values and what definitely made me cope the best and stay mentally strong is being creative. It made me go through and come stronger at the other end of a battle.

[buddha]

I lost my mom and sister. I had failure in life. My health was also worst. Later I accepted it and started doing meditation. I rised up again. And now I m well and won the battle.. ❤❤ I hope Buddha will give power to heal you all the beings in the world.