Promoting resilience and well-being for individuals, families, and communities in psychosocial crisis

Introduction: It is estimated that up to 70% of people experience at least one serious traumatic event during their lives. Trauma usually causes a psychosocial crisis, which is a state of instability and danger. Trauma and the psychosocial crisis are addressed at the level of the individual, the family, and the community. Promoting resilience and well-being is very useful in helping a person “bounce back” after encountering adversity.

Objective: This paper explores the dynamics of psychosocial crisis and the ways of promoting resilience and well-being at the individual, family, and community levels.

Materials and methods: A literature review was conducted on psychosocial crises, their causes and consequences, as well as on resilience and well-being as key resources for addressing these challenges.

Results: Resilience factors – such as optimism, facing one’s fear, a strong moral compass, religion and spirituality, social support, cognitive and emotional flexibility, and a sense of meaning and purpose – play a crucial role in coping with psychosocial crises. Well-being can be further enhanced by prioritizing physical health, nurturing social connections, and engaging in mental stimulation.

Conclusion: Psychosocial crises can be observed on several levels – maturational, situational, existential, spiritual, and adventitious. If trauma is not properly addressed and the crisis persists, it may lead to both intergenerational and transgenerational trauma. Strengthening resilience and enhancing well-being at the levels of the individual, family, and society are essential strategies for coping with trauma and mitigating negative outcomes such as PTSD, substance abuse, suicidality, depression, and physical health problems. By fostering resilience and well-being, traumatic experiences and psychosocial crises can be transformed into opportunities for personal, family, and social growth and development.

INTRODUCTION

The frequency of psychosocial crises can significantly vary based on the definitions employed, the population under study (for instance, the general population compared to individuals with chronic illness or a history of trauma), and the context or environment (such as low-income areas, conflict zones, or healthcare settings).

It is estimated that as many as 70% of individuals will experience at least one serious traumatic event during their lifetime. These crises often manifest in moments of overwhelming distress, where individuals face significant emotional turmoil, sudden life changes, or severe interpersonal conflicts, prompting them to seek immediate care and support. However, many people who need help don’t ask for it, sometimes due to stigma or lack of knowledge, and many do not receive it; often because services are lacking. Furthermore, a fraction of public health budgets in many countries doesn’t match the scale of the crisis.

In emergency rooms, as many as 20–30% of visits related to mental health concerns arise from acute psychosocial crises. If not addressed, mental health problems often lead to long‑term consequences in poor education, unemployment, poor relationships, physical health.

In addition to mental illness, life events like loss of loved ones due to death, trauma (e.g., violence, accidents), or major transitions can provoke mental breakdowns (e.g., divorce, job loss), and natural disasters and war emphasize the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions and support systems necessary to address these increasing challenges faced by people worldwide. The troubling fact is an increase in mental health crises, a rise in self-harm and suicidal ideation among youth worldwide, as per a 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) report, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic-induced social isolation, disruptions to education, and economic instability.

Trauma affecting individuals, families, and communities often leads to psychosocial crises, which are a reflection of instability and dangerous situations. Promoting resilience and well-being is essential for helping people “bounce back” after facing difficulties. There is a growing body of international literature exploring the concept of resilience, focusing on its applications in various fields, including psychology, ecology, and community development. While these studies have gained significant traction globally, the concept of resilience is still relatively underexplored in some contexts. This gap presents an opportunity for researchers and practitioners in Serbia to incorporate resilience frameworks into local practices and policies, which could enhance responses to social, economic, and environmental challenges.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This article presents a narrative review that thoroughly examines the essential definitions and concepts related to the dynamics, causes, and consequences of psychosocial crisis, as well as resilience and well-being as powerful tools in dealing with challenges of psychosocial crisis.

A purposeful search for references was performed with keywords related to definitions and concepts of this condition (psychosocial crisis, mental health crisis, psychological distress, emotional crisis, acute stress, mental disorders, crisis intervention), and various factors that contribute to psychosocial crisis, its triggers (trauma and adversities), and challenges.

Additionally, rather than on global reports this review focuses on articles that provide evidence-based strategies to enhance resilience, spirituality and overall well-being across three critical levels: the individual level – wherein personal coping mechanisms and psychological support systems are highlighted; the family level – wherein the importance of nurturing relationships and communication is emphasized; and the community level – wherein focus is placed on social support networks and resources that foster a collective sense of security and solidarity.

The majority of high-quality peer-reviewed clinical and multidisciplinary studies were found on PubMed, while articles, books, and guidelines in psychology and psychiatry were found on PsycINFO, as well as in the social sciences segment on JSTOR.

The narrative review employed a detailed descriptive analysis of selected publications, beginning with an extensive exploration of the key components of psychosocial crises and continuing with highlights of effective interventions designed to foster proactive approaches, ultimately aiming to alleviate the adverse effects associated with these crises.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A psychosocial crisis represents a state of instability and heightened risk that can affect individuals, families, and communities. It is a highly stressful condition, particularly when it occurs abruptly with little or no warning. Such crises may be triggered by traumatic events or by various adversities.

Trauma refers to exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence, which may occur one (or more) of the following ways: directly experiencing the traumatic event(s), witnessing the event(s) as it happens to others, learning that such an event(s) has occurred to a close family member or friend, or experiencing it at the community level [1].

Trauma refers to an event outside the range of typical human experience that profoundly distresses nearly everyone. It is a disturbing experience that results in significant fear, helplessness, dissociation, confusion, or other disruptive feelings intense enough to have a long-lasting negative effect on a person’s attitudes, behavior, and other aspects of functioning [2].

Traumatic experiences affect not only individuals but also families and entire communities. They may arise from events such as war, the sudden loss of a loved one, rape, natural disasters, and other traumatic situations. Trauma represents a major global health issue, with millions of people each year exposed to traumatic events and subsequently developing related mental health conditions, most notably post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is estimated that about 70% of the world’s population will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, while a smaller proportion develop PTSD; globally, approximately 3.9% of people have experienced PTSD at some point in their lives [3],[4].

Adversity is a state of grave or lasting trauma or misfortune, a condition of suffering, destitution, or affliction that persists over time. It encompasses a wide range of negative experiences – from personal hardships, such as illness or loss, to broader societal issues, such as poverty, racism, or discrimination. Adversity can lead to stress, emotional distress, and negative health outcomes. However, it can also foster resilience, personal growth, and a deeper understanding of oneself and the world [4],[5].

A psychosocial crisis at the individual level impacts a person’s emotional well-being, sense of identity, and sense of safety. A family crisis can be described as a situation wherein relationships are strained to the point that they may ultimately break apart the family unit. At the community level, a psychosocial crisis emerges from significant social or cultural shifts that challenge existing values, norms, and structures, potentially resulting in widespread distress, conflict, and societal dysfunction. Some examples include rapid social change,  cultural conflicts, and economic and political instability. It can occur following a natural disaster, traumatic event, or other adversities such as war, genocide, pandemics [5],[6],[7].

Resilience is the ability to withstand, i.e., “bounce back”, from trauma and adversity, recover quickly, and flourish despite the normal fluctuations that occur throughout life, creating opportunities for personal development and growth [8],[9].

Well-being encompasses a positive state of being, including mental health, life satisfaction, sense of meaning and purpose, and the ability to manage stress. It is influenced by physical, mental, emotional, and societal factors [10].

Main types of psychosocial crisis

Psychosocial crises can be categorized into several types and may be triggered by specific events or longterm problems at the individual, family, or community level. Significant life events or transitions that require readjustment can disrupt daily activities, roles, and relationships, often threatening an individual’s or family’s physical safety, as well as their emotional and economic well-being [14]. The main types of psychosocial crisis include:

Maturational crisis: adolescence, retirement, becoming a parent

Situational crisis: divorce, developing mental or physical illness, loss of a loved one

Existential crisis: inner conflicts provoked by existential questions such as fear of death, isolation, the meaning and purpose of life, the sense of freedom

Adventitious crisis: resulting from traumatic, unexpected, or violent events and man-made crises – war, genocide, terrorism, natural disasters

Spiritual crisis: questioning one’s faith, religious beliefs, spiritual values

Community crisis: neighbourhood violence, lack of resources, or inadequate community support

Financial crisis: These can range from a personal financial setback to broader economic instability in the community.

Individual crisis caused by trauma and adversities

Individual crises encompass a wide range of stressful and disruptive events that can impact an individual’s life and well-being [6]. These include:

• Sudden death of a loved one
• Serious illness and mental health crisis with suicidality
• Car or other accidents
• Emotional crisis: sadness, anger, fear, negative self-talk
• Job loss, sudden retirement
• Infidelity, relationship breakups, separation, divorce
• Significant financial setbacks
• Natural disasters • Witnessing or being the victim of violence, domestic violence
• Being robbed, being arrested
• Identity crisis, questioning general and sexual identity
• Loneliness, experiencing a loss of life purpose, facing death

Family crisis caused by trauma and adversities

Family crises encompass a wide range of stressful events that disrupt family life and can strain relationships [15]. These include:

• Death of a family member, serious illness of family members
• Job loss
• Natural disasters
• Infidelity, divorce
• Perinatal issues: unplanned pregnancy, newborn baby, sudden death of a baby or a mother, miscarriage
• “Empty nest syndrome” (children leaving home)
• Adoption
• Retirement
• Mental health issues
• Incarceration
• Domestic violence
• Robbery
• Child protection investigation

Community crisis as a part of a broader sociocultural crisis

Community crises are often part of broader socio-cultural crises. Community crises occur when a culture or society undergoes significant upheaval or disruption caused by various factors or events that disrupt the way of life for its members. Such crises involve shifts in the values, beliefs, and practices that define a culture and society. Political changes, economic instability, and discrimination are often central to these disruptions, as are other events that impact individuals, families, and the wider community [16]. These include:

• Prejudice based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion
• Racism
• Patriarchal societal structures that marginalize women
• Social and economic inequality, poverty
• Labor disputes and industrial unrest
• Disparities in access to education
• Global health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic
• Refugee and displacement crises
• Political instability and governance crises
• Armed conflict, including war and civil war

War is often glorified by individuals and nations, reflecting personal or national narcissism. In modern conflicts, approximately 90% of casualties are civilians, including women and children.

Transgenerational and intergenerational trauma

Trauma can be transmitted across generations, with some unexplained symptoms that reflect or intensify psychosocial crises being linked to transgenerational or intergenerational trauma.

• Transgenerational trauma refers to trauma passed on from one generation to the next, typically from parents to children. When parents suffer from PTSD related to individual trauma (e.g., sexual abuse, domestic violence, captivity, prisoners of war) or collective trauma (e.g., war, racism, slavery, colonization, violence), their children face an increased risk of developing PTSD and depression. This process is often referred to as secondary traumatization [17]. Primary traumatization is strongly associated with early attachment difficulties and represents one of the most powerful pathways for trauma transmission. This is because early attachment relies predominantly on nonverbal communication – tone of voice, facial expression, and body language – all of which can be profoundly affected by PTSD.
• Intergenerational trauma extends beyond the immediate parent–child relationship, affecting subsequent generations of descendants, sometimes across three to five generations. Large-scale sociocultural traumas, such as genocide, systemic racism, and war, are especially harmful when they influence biological processes like DNA methylation, making the trauma transmissible to future generations [17],[18].

The transmission of trauma is closely linked to trauma-induced epigenetic modifications of DNA. These modifications alter the way genes are expressed without changing the genetic code itself. One key mechanism is DNA methylation, the attachment of methyl groups to the DNA molecule, typically in promoter regions. This process often represses gene transcription, leading to functional changes in cellular activity. Thus, trauma-induced epigenetic alterations affect the expression of genes, rather than altering the genes themselves [17],[18],[19].

Not all traumatized individuals develop PTSD. Only about 7.8% of those exposed to trauma experience PTSD. This variation may be explained by protective epigenetic patterns, psychological resilience, or a strong capacity for recovery. In such cases, the offspring of traumatized individuals may be protected from developing psychological symptoms. Similarly, children may inherit resilience, allowing them to remain unaffected by parental or ancestral trauma [17],[18].

Strategies in dealing with crises

In treating trauma and crisis, it is essential to recognize trauma early and apply effective strategies for managing psychosocial crises [20],[21].

The strategies are:

• At the individual level: recognizing and acknowledging the problem, identifying personal needs, practicing stress-reduction techniques, seeking help when necessary, and using flexibility in the face of change as part of an adaptive coping strategy
• At the family level: maintaining open and honest communication with family members, providing mutual emotional support, and creating a safe space for expressing feelings
• At the community level: building community support networks, sharing essential resources (such as food and shelter), listening to one another, and remaining emotionally connected and supportive Leadership and role models are important: a calm, compassionate leader in a crisis (e.g., a teacher, nurse, or elder) can model resilience and help others remain grounded.
• At all levels:
• Cultural or religious practices – Rituals, prayer, or community gatherings (even virtual) provide continuity, meaning, and comfort during uncertain times.
• Humor and positivity – Using humor (e.g., sharing jokes) to deal with stress during a crisis can help reframe difficult situations and maintain emotional balance.
• Volunteerism and altruism – Helping others in a crisis, such as distributing aid or checking on neighbors, fosters purpose and belonging, which strengthens resilience.
• Seeking mental health support – Proactively reaching out for counseling or therapy when feeling overwhelmed demonstrates resilience by recognizing the need for help and acting on it.
• Maintaining routine and structure – Continuing with daily rituals (such as mealtimes, exercise, or bedtime stories for children) provides a sense of normalcy amid chaos.
• Creating meaning from adversity: Survivors of trauma who share their stories to inspire or educate others often experience a sense of growth, purpose, and healing.
• Finding meaning in life

In the words of Viktor E. Frankl:
“When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves.”
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” [22].

Resilience and well-being

In order to enable people to cope with psychosocial crises and prevent the lasting consequences of trauma, resilience and well-being should be cultivated as core values. The role of professionals is to foster resilience and help strengthen well-being in individuals and families confronted with psychosocial crises.

Resilience

Resilience is the ability to “bounce back” after encountering difficulty. It is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress – such as family and relationship problems, serious health conditions, workplace pressures, or financial hardship [23].

As Confucius wisely said:
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

A resilient person may still be deeply affected by trauma and experience psychological symptoms such as depression, hypervigilance, or intrusive memories. However, resilience enables them to continue engaging in the essential aspects of life despite painful and distressing experiences. Resilience also involves the capacity to grow from adversity and find meaning in hardship. It is that ineffable quality that allows some people to be struck by trauma and return even stronger.

Resilience is not a fixed personality trait but rather a dynamic, learnable process. A key element of resilience is perspective – being able to place stressful events in a broader context and recognize their true severity, or sometimes their relative insignificance [9]. For resilient individuals, crises are not perceived as insurmountable obstacles but as challenges, learning experiences, and opportunities for personal growth.

In their study, Southwick and Charney identified ten coping mechanisms – referred to as resilience factors – that proved effective for managing stress and trauma. These include: optimism, facing fear, a moral compass, religion and spirituality, social support, resilient role models, physical fitness, brain fitness, cognitive and emotional flexibility, and meaning and purpose [9].

For many participants in their study, these ten factors were not only helpful but lifesaving. Interestingly, resilience has also become a valued quality beyond clinical and crisis contexts. For example, during job interviews, CEOs often place greater emphasis on a candidate’s level of resilience than on their education or work experience, as resilience is a more accurate predictor of long-term success. This principle applies equally in diverse contexts – from cancer wards, to the Olympic Games, to corporate boardrooms [24].

Resilience and spirituality

Resilience  is the capacity to adapt, “bounce back”, or even thrive in the face of challenges, stress, and adversity. It is a universal human experience – everyone encounters difficulties in life and responds to them in one way or another.

Similarly, spirituality is also a universal human experience.  Broadly defined, spirituality can be understood as the search for meaning, purpose, something sacred, or something greater than ourselves. It offers perspective and a higher level from which to view our existence. Spirituality may be expressed in secular or religious terms, or in ways entirely unrelated to religion. According to modern psychology, spirituality is recognized as one of the 24 character strengths shared across humanity – transcending time, culture, nations, and belief systems [25]. Numerous studies demonstrate that spirituality contributes to well-being, supports healthy relationships, and enhances the sense of meaning in life [26],[27].

For indigenous peoples, such as the Māori in New Zealand or the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia, spirituality provides a framework for understanding life, death, and the natural world. It serves as a source of grounding, hope, and resilience in the face of hardship [28],[29],[30].

Spiritual resilience refers to the capacity to draw upon internal resources – such as beliefs, strengths, and values – while also engaging external resources to sustain a sense of self, meaning, and purpose when confronted with life’s challenges and adversities [31]. Spiritual resilience helps us restore the heart, mind, and spirit, strengthening our humanity from within, through beliefs adopted in adverse circumstances, regardless of our background. Spiritual resilience functions like an invisible set of sails, keeping us steady during life’s calms and storms, and helping us regain balance when we falter.

Spirituality and resilience are interconnected. Spirituality acts as a resource that enables individuals and families to navigate adversity and preserve a sense of purpose and meaning, ultimately enhancing their ability to cope with life’s challenges and maintain a sense of well-being.

At its core, spirituality fosters awareness – what has been described as “awakened awareness” – a state wherein a person is receptive to life’s signals and directions, rather than focusing solely on personal desires or despair.

Humans are born with a capacity for spirituality. Neuroscientific research highlights the role of the “awakened brain,” which involves brain regions such as the fronto-temporal brain (bonding), the ventral attention system (spiritual orientation), and the parietal lobe (reducing isolation and fostering connection to others and to a broader sense of life) [32]. Functional MRI studies show that activity in the ventral frontotemporal (VFT) region is associated with personal spirituality [32].

Spiritual practice encompasses altruism, love for others, kindness, gratitude, hope, and the search for meaning in life. It has been linked to greater cortical thickness in the VFT region of the brain. Conceptualized as the “awakened brain,” spirituality exerts a neuroprotective effect on brain areas involved in resilience. As such, spirituality represents a core protective factor against stress, PTSD, depression, suicidality, and addictions [33].

Family resilience

Healthy adaptation to stress depends not only on individuals, but also on the resources available through family, friends, and various organizations, as well as on the characteristics of specific cultures, religions, communities, societies, and governments – all of which may themselves be resilient to a greater or lesser degree.

The main aspects of family resilience are the qualities and values of its members that foster unity, collaboration, mutual empathy, and respect. Family resilience reflects the ability to adapt positively when faced with both expected and unexpected life events or stressors.

The adjustment strategies include:

• Stress management
• Emotional regulation
• Seeking support
• Collaborative goals
• Mutual respect for individual differences and needs
• Parental resilience
• Cultural respect
• Value transcendence and spirituality: Finding spiritual nourishment through a deep connection with nature, music, or art. By seeing themselves as part of something larger than themselves, family members gain a broader perspective on the crisis they are experiencing, which can foster a deeper sense of purpose in their lives.
• Family belief systems that create meaning from crisis and challenge: Crises are viewed as shared challenges. Adversity is perceived as manageable and meaningful, contributing to growth and transformation throughout the family life cycle.
• Maintaining a positive outlook: Families sustain optimism, affirm their strengths and potential during crises, and reinforce confidence and a “can-do” spirit. They focus energy on making the best of available options while also accepting what lies beyond their control.
• Flexibility: Families with adaptable structures can adjust to meet their needs and challenges, enabling them to cope with changes brought on by crises or adversity. Strong leadership with a focus on security and some sense of predictability helps guide vulnerable members through transitions.
• Connectedness: Family members must feel they can rely on one another in times of crisis. At the same time, resilience is strengthened when members respect each other’s individuality, differences, and boundaries.
• Support from social and economic resources: Families draw on networks of relatives, friends, neighbors, and organizations that provide lifelines during difficult times. These networks offer practical assistance, emotional support, and community connections. Resilient families recognize when they need help and actively make use of these resources.
• Clear and consistent family communication: Direct, specific, consistent, and honest communication helps all members understand the crisis, share feelings and opinions, and engage in collective decision-making about how the family will move forward in the face of crisis.
• Collaborative problem-solving: Family members identify challenges, explore available options for dealing with them, and make decisions together, as a team. They discover new possibilities for overcoming diversity, with the contributions of all family members being equally respected and valued. Emphasis is on realistic goals and concrete steps to achieve them. Families build on their success as they pursue their goals, they learn from setbacks, and develop proactive skills for managing future challenges [34],[35],[36],[37].

Community resilience

Community resilience refers to a community’s capacity to endure, adapt to, and recover from disruptions, whether caused by natural disasters, economic downturns, or other challenges. It involves the ability to prepare for, respond to, and “bounce back” from adversity, emphasizing both the physical and social well-being of the community. Resilient communities can minimize damage and loss of life resulting from natural disasters and other crises.

By building resilience, communities can better adapt to long-term challenges such as climate change and economic instability. Community resilience initiatives can foster collaboration, trust, and a shared sense of responsibility among residents. Resilient communities are better equipped to meet the needs of their members and to create a healthier, more vibrant environment.

Community resilience depends on the survival capacities of society, individuals, and families, as these elements must support the community in restoring balance during times of adversity. Likewise, only a strong and resilient community can help restore the equilibrium of individuals, families, and society as a whole. Building resilient communities requires development in the following areas [38]:

• Establishing a secure base and valuing equality and diversity
• Fostering social competence • Strengthening appropriate services to meet people’s needs
• Ensuring connectedness among people and organizations
• Promoting healthy leadership rooted in moral values and responsiveness to community needs
• Supporting cultural cohesion and cultural tolerance
• Nurturing positive and moral values
• Working on conflict prevention and preparing for adversity
• Maintaining strong support for family values, strengthening bonds, and cultivating a loving and caring attitude toward children and their safety.

It is particularly significant that Indigenous/First Nations/peoples demonstrate high resilience. For example, in New Zealand, Māori culture emphasizes reliance on relationships among people, ancestors, and the natural world, grounded in values such as whanaungatanga (kinship), manaakitanga (care), and kaitiakitanga (stewardship). This collectivist worldview fosters strong community bonds, deep connections to the land, and a broad sense of time that integrates past, present, and future in decision-making and cultural practices such as haka, tangihanga (funerals), and the preservation of ancestral knowledge (mātauranga). In contrast to individualistic Western cultures, Māori culture places community and collective well-being above individual needs [28],[29].

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia have endured profound and persistent adversity due to the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization, including social, political, economic, and cultural constraints, as well as structural racism. Their resilience is deeply rooted in culture, with protective factors such as strong connections to the land, kinship systems, spirituality, and cultural rituals and practices. These elements foster collective identity and self-determination, supporting cultural revitalization and overall well-being [30],[39].

Well-being and psychosocial crisis

Well-being is a state of thriving that encompasses various aspects of life and plays a vital role in overall health, happiness, and success.

Well-being is reflected in experiencing a positive, fulfilling life. It is not merely the absence of suffering, but the presence of positive experiences, fulfillment, and a sense of meaning. Well-being is strongly associated with both physical and mental health outcomes. It contributes to greater life satisfaction, strengthens resilience, and enhances the ability to cope with stress and crises. In addition, it supports productivity and performance.

The PERMA model [40] identifies five core elements of well-being: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. Focusing on these areas fosters balance and fulfillment, ultimately enhancing resilience and life satisfaction.

Applying PERMA principles promotes personal growth and improved mental health, laying the foundation for lasting happiness and a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Factors influencing well-being

• Personal factors: self-esteem, effective coping skills, and a sense of control over one’s life
• Social factors: strong relationships, a supportive community, and a sense of belonging
• Environmental factors: a safe, healthy environment with access to resources and opportunities for growth
• Economic factors: financial stability, secure employment, and equitable access to resources Psychosocial crises can profoundly affect the well-being of individuals and families. Strengthening resilience at the individual, family, and societal levels is a key component of enhancing overall well-being [41]. Well-being can be improved through:
• Prioritizing self-care: engaging in activities that promote relaxation, enjoyment, and stress reduction
• Building strong relationships: nurturing connections with family, friends, and community members
• Practicing gratitude and positivity: focusing on life’s positive aspects and cultivating an optimistic outlook
• Engaging in meaningful activities: participating in pursuits that provide joy, purpose, and a sense of accomplishment
• Seeking professional help when needed
• Learning new life skills
• Showing kindness toward oneself and others
• Being present in the “here and now”
• Focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses
• Supporting the community through altruism

CONCLUSION

Psychosocial crisis, as a consequence of trauma and adversity, can be a serious condition that impacts individuals, families, and communities. Practicing resilience, nurturing spirituality, and strengthening well-being are valuable strategies not only for overcoming a psychosocial crisis but also for preparing individuals, families, and communities to face future challenges arising from trauma and adversity.

Empowering resilience should be a central goal for professionals working with people experiencing different psychosocial crises. Equally important is that professionals recognize these crises as opportunities for personal, family, and community growth and development.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Mila Goldner Vukov
Prof. Mila Goldner Vukov, PhD graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade, where she also completed her specialization in neuropsychiatry. She obtained both her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in psychiatry. She is a member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. She has served as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade and as a lecturer at universities in New Zealand and Australia. She is currently a Professor at the European Center for Peace and Development (ECPD). Her training covers family, group, and individual psychotherapy. She has published several books in the field of psychiatry and psychotherapy, as well as a considerable number of scientific papers. Her primary areas of interest include perinatal and transcultural psychiatry, transgenerational and intergenerational trauma, existential psychotherapy, resilience across different stages of life, and the prevention of mental health problems in women. She delivers lectures and workshops in different areas of psychiatry in Belgrade and the wider region.

Snežana Mijalković
Dr. Snežana Mijalković, MSc Med., ECP, is a psychiatry specialist. She has a master’s degree in medical sciences with a focus on psychotherapy and holds a European Certificate of Psychotherapy (ECP). She is a member of the Association of Systemic Therapists team. She was one of the founding members of the specialist multidisciplinary team Counseling Center for Psycho-Oncology in Belgrade (Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Belgrade, Serbia). She works with clinical teams to enhance communication skills, strengthen resilience, and support the prevention of burnout. She is a member of the European Association for Psychotherapy. From 2009 to 2010, she served as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Family Therapy Association.