The problem with resilience

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.

Automated summary

The term 'resilience' has become a popular buzzword in mental health services worldwide, causing frustration and offense to both service users and mental health professionals. It is argued that resilience is a flawed Western theory of suffering that is aligned with neoliberal ideology, and its indiscriminate use harms both service users and staff. This paper examines the origins and evolution of resilience, and criticizes how it has been turned into a meaningless slogan in mental health services, causing iatrogenic harm. The authors call for mental health professionals to be mindful of the language they use and the unintended meanings behind their choice of words.