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The problem with resilience.

Jane FisherEmma Jones
Published in: International journal of mental health nursing (2023)
The term 'resilience' has become a fashionable buzzword infiltrating mental health services globally. This latest ad nauseam has become both an irritation and insult to service users and mental health professionals alike. We argue resilience is a flawed Western theory of suffering aligned with neoliberal ideology. It is a double-edged sword indiscriminately yielded at both service users and staff. This paper examines the origins and evolution of resilience, and how mental health services have morphed resilience into a meaningless slogan, causing iatrogenic harm. We call for mental health professionals to consider their use of language and the intended or unintentional meaning behind their choice of words.
Keyphrases
  • climate change
  • mental health
  • social support
  • healthcare
  • depressive symptoms
  • preterm infants
  • south africa
  • decision making