Coping with World Events

Sometimes, things happen in the world that can be hard to cope with. Wars, climate change, health crises, and other issues, can be really challenging to comprehend and deal with.

On this page, we're going to explore some of these issues and help you to understand and cope with the difficulties that they can present to you. We will first look at resilience, before moving on to look at the specific challenges you might face.

Definition: This is when you have developed the ability to recover from difficulties and hardships. 

8 Things Resilient People Do
Resilient people may seem like an entirely different species with their thoughts well put together and life completely organised, but there are actually many behaviours and mindsets that are common among them. Want to know how you, too, can be resilient? Watch this video to find out!

Three invaluable tools to boost your resilience | BBC Ideas

Dr Lucy Hone is a leading expert on resilience. Her own resilience was tested in the most horrific way when her daughter was killed in a car crash. She tells the story of how she has coped with the loss - and shares three key strategies for building resilience.

Some useful resources:

• Mind - Stress and Resilience
  This resource explains what stress is, what might cause it and how it can affect you, as well as discussing ways to develop resilience. It also includes information about ways you can help yourself and how to get support.

• What Is Resilience? Your Guide to Facing Life’s Challenges, Adversities, and Crises
  What is resilience, why is it so important, and how do you know if you’re resilient enough? Read this article to find out more. 

• 4 Ways to Boost Your Resilience for Tough Times
  This article suggests four ways that you can support yourself in growing your resilience to help you get through times of trouble.

When things happen in the world that are sad or cause anxiety, it can be really hard to know how to cope with them. But you are not alone in experiencing these feelings, and there is a way out of them.

Some useful resources:

• Tips to look after your mental health during scary world events
  This article looks at the valid anxieties and feelings that scary world events can cause, and provides some tips on how to cope with them. 

• World News, Anxiety, and You
  This presentation is all about helping you to cope with things that are out of your control, such as war and its effects. 

Definition: War is a word we use to describe a state of armed conflict between different groups. This could be within a country (for example, different states that disagree with each other) or between different countries. 

Some useful resources:

• First News - All Eyes on Ukraine
  This newspaper, aimed at young people, looks at the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and answers some of the questions you may have about it. 

• Britannica - Warfare
  If you want to learn more about why wars start, the politics and laws of war, and some of the history of war, this article is a good place to start.

Definition: A refugee is someone who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster. An asylum seeker is a person who has left their country and is seeking protection from persecution and serious human rights violations in another country, but who hasn't yet been legally recognized as a refugee and is waiting to receive a decision on their asylum claim. Seeking asylum is a human right.

Some useful resources:

• Refugee Republic
  Find out what it’s like to live in an Iraqi refugee camp by taking this virtual tour.

• Syrian Journey – choose your own escape route
  If you were fleeing Syria for Europe, what choices would you make for you and your family? Take this BBC interactive journey to understand the real dilemmas the refugees face.

• Migrants to Britain c1250 to the present overview
  Migration has played an important part in Britain's history from c1250 to the present day. It has influenced Britain’s economy, politics, culture and relationship with the wider world. Find out more about this via the link. 

• Refugees, Asylum Seekers & Migrants: A Crucial Difference

This really useful article from Habitat for Humanity explains the difference between the terms 'refugee', 'asylum seeker' and 'migrant'. 

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

You might feel that you want to help those who are going through the experience of war, but not know what the right thing to do is. Here are some suggestions.

• Refugee Action - How to Help: Ukraine Crisis
  Here are a few ways you can make a difference, as well as answers to some of the questions Refugee Action have been receiving.

• Global Citizen - 25 Meaningful Ways You Can Help Ukraine
  As the Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens more lives, here are some meaningful ways you can help.

• UK Gov - Ukraine: What You Can Do To Help
  Everyone wants to do their bit to support those who have been forced to flee their homes because of the invasion. Here is how you can help. #StandWithUkraine

• Where can I donate items for Ukraine and which items are most needed?
  Find out some key information about what items are needed and how you can donate them to support Ukrainian refugees. 

Other things you can do:

• Write to your MP. Ask them what their stance is on the war and what they are going to do to support refugees.

• Attend anti-war demonstrations if it is safe and legal to do so. Do not put yourself or others in danger, make sure that the demonstration is being organised by a reputable organisation, and be careful that you are following the law at all times. 

• Check your sources of information. There is a lot of false information about the conflict circulating online – this is called misinformation or disinformation. You can do your part to stop the spread by verifying your source of information before sharing.

Definition: The term 'climate change' refers to changes in the average conditions - for example, rainfall or temperature - in an area, or globally. When we talk about climate change, we are usually talking about the changes caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide created by the use of fossil fuels. 

Some useful resources:

• What is climate change? A really simple guide
  This BBC article explains what climate change is in a simple and easy-to-read way.

• Unicef - Youth for Climate Action
  Find out about how young people's voices are amplifying messages about taking action against climate change. 

Definition: A health crisis or public health crisis is a difficult situation or complex health system that affects humans in one or more geographic areas, from a particular area to the entire planet. Health crises generally have significant impacts on community health, loss of life, and on the economy. They may result from disease, industrial processes, or poor policy.

Some useful resources:

• NHS - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  NHS landing page for coronavirus.

• The Red Cross - Coping with Uncertainty
  This document has some tips for how to cope with the uncertainty caused by crises, including when a pandemic happens.