Emotional resilience can be defined as the ability to bounce back from adversity, the ability to calm your mind during or after a negative situation. People who demonstrate a high degree of emotional resilience are able to cope with stresses (minor or major), in a calm and effective manner.

Much like other aspects of our persona like IQ, social intelligence and emotional intelligence – emotional resilience is something we are all born with and continues to develop as we grow. However, some of us are more resilient than others.

Thankfully, it’s a trait that can be further developed and learned with conscious practice and awareness. As carers, it would benefit us to develop our own emotional resilience.

Not sure what that looks like? No problem – all emotionally resilient people share the following eight traits. Have a read and see how you fare.

1. Emotional awareness

If you’re aware of how you’re feeling and why, then you are emotionally aware. You also have the ability to understand how others feel because your awareness.

2. Perseverance

Perseverance is never giving up in pursuit of your goals. People who have grit and persevere with achieving their objectives tend to be more resilient.

3. Independence

This trait of resilience is about having your own back, taking control of your destiny and knowing that you can overcome anything, no matter the situation.

4. Optimism

The ability to see the positive side of all situations is a quality shared by resilient people. Flipping a negative situation on its head and seeing the positive aspects puts you in a position of empowerment, opening up more options.

5. Support

Although resilient people are independent, they also understand the role that friends and family can play in supporting them through a difficult period. Resilient people are not afraid to reach out for support.

6. Sense of humour

Having a strong sense of humour can help people through difficult situations. Resilient people can laugh at the curveballs that life throws at them – they have the ability to see the lighter side of life.

7. Perspective

Resilient people know that life brings them lessons, and that learning from their mistakes is all part and parcel of the journey. They understand that adversity can make them stronger and instead of only viewing themselves as a victim, they recognise that they have some control.

8. Initiative

A resilient person displays initiative by taking control of the situation and putting strategies in place to overcome a particular challenge.

How did you go? Do you have some or all of these traits? If you’re a carer and would like to develop your emotional resilience, contact us for more information about our Bouncing Back – Building Resilience workshop. If you have any questions about this article or need someone to talk to, you can call Arafmi any time of the day on 07 3254 1881. It’s comforting to know that when you need to talk – someone who understands will be there – at any hour.

Advocacy

Future Planning 19 November – Focusing on Rights and Support

Future Planning Workshop: Focusing on Rights and Support – 19 November 2025 Our latest Future Planning workshop, held on 19 November at the Greek Club, brought together carers, families and supporters for an important conversation about rights, advocacy, and planning for the future. This session centred on understanding the systems that shape mental health care and social supports, and how to navigate them with confidence. Championing Rights in Mental Health Services We were delighted to welcome Margaret Murphy, an Independent Patient Rights Adviser (IPRA) working within the Metro South Hospital and Health Service. Margaret’s role is unique: although IPRAs work in public hospitals, they are independent from mental health services, allowing them to offer impartial advice to patients, nominated support persons, families and carers. Margaret explained how IPRAs support people to understand their rights under the Mental Health Act 2016, offer guidance during difficult or confusing periods of care, and help ensure that people feel informed and heard. She shared useful resources, including fact sheets, brochures and videos, which are easily accessible for anyone wanting to learn more. One story she shared captured the impact of this service: “Without the help of IPRA I would have left the hospital and

November 28, 2025 No Comments

Carer Support

Making the holidays easier: support and tips for carers

Making the holidays easier: support and tips for carers The holidays can bring extra stress for mental health carers, especially if the services your person relies on are closed. While everyone is dealing with the usual summer holiday celebrations (and stress), you may find yourself juggling more organising, bigger emotions and more crisis moments than usual. Add in financial, time and family pressures and it’s easy to feel stretched. So how do you look after yourself and the person you care for when a supposedly joyful time feels overwhelming? The good news? You don’t have to go through it alone. Arafmi’s 24/7 Carer Support Line is open every day, including public holidays (call 1300 554 660 or 1800 351 881 from Regional Queensland). We can also offer one-on-one support, depending on staff availability and we’re always happy to be part of your end-of-year wellness plan (more on that soon). Another way we support carers during this time is through our End-of-Year Preparation for Carers workshop. Ben, one of our Carer Support Team members, has been running this workshop for the past two years. He helps carers plan for tricky social situations, practise responses to hard questions and build in small