One wonders what our predecessors would have made of our collective response to the spread of Covid-19 so far. As we know, historically pandemics wiped off populations on a large scale and left communities devasted by the catastrophic aftermath of a disease. Famine and poverty are realities that have been affecting generations to this day as a result of wars, massacres and forced migration amongst so many other atrocities documented in the history books and news around the world. Children, young people and adults find themselves on a boat in the middle of the sea trying desperately to cross borders not even for the prospect of a better life, but for sheer survival. We witness daily what humanity must endure and we get disturbed by the severity of the suffering involved.
Yet, we also repeatedly bear witness to one inspiring human capacity and that is our resilience. The resilience that is certainly not depicted in how long people queue outside supermarkets waiting to fill up their car boots with massive supplies of food and toilet paper, but in the way we adapt mentally to extremely challenging circumstances and find ways of regaining our strength. In the way we pick up the pieces after an earthquake, or a fire and after a loss of a loved one. In the way we find the courage to walk away from an abusive relationship or stop a destructive behaviour. In the way we choose within our roles as parents, friends or care givers not to think of ourselves first, but of those who are dependent on us and more vulnerable. And in the way we try to rebuild our lives after any ‘storm’ whilst appreciating the circumstances with compassion and no intention to disrespect, judge, or condemn. And most of all, in the way we try to gain self-understanding (γνώθι σε αυτόν) during our difficult times.
It is indeed this very experience of self-knowledge that allows us to re-connect with our strength and self-respect when we find ourselves lost or drained in life, which at times may involve the help of a professional who would be there to facilitate the process and offer some support. I am not sure how our grandfathers would have perceived the prospect of psychological help after having been exposed to and survived the traumatic experiences of wars and of extreme daily hardships, but I am quite certain that they would have benefited from the option if one was offered to them at the time. I am also confident that they would have reminded us of the fact that their resilience along with the support of those close to them and their communities saw them through the worse and help them manage to recover and adapt in their lives, as we are trying to do now with our covid-19 affected circumstances.
Antony Sigalas
Psychotherapist for the Alpha Care Counselling Services
Tel: 020 8373 6287
