With the increasing flood of information and news about the numerous crises occurring around the world recently, one can start feeling overwhelmed living in today’s world. All over social media, stories of the raging wars, mass deaths, the rapidly changing climate and more can quickly give communities a sense of hopelessness and dread for the future.

The growth in despondency amongst people is not merely an observation but is also reflected in the increase in mental health struggles. According to the National Institute of Health, the rates of depression have been steadily rising since 2015, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising number of global crises in the 21st century. But the focus of these recent events cannot solely be on the negative, or else the despair will consume all.

With all of these crises occurring around the world, it can be easy to lose hope and get discouraged in one’s day-to-day life. However, it is especially because the world is now facing crises that we must be there for one another more than ever. Our communities are all that we have, so how can we find solace in each other during times of crisis?

The first step is to try to stay calm and be patient with oneself. In times of distress, panic is easy to fall into and can gnaw away at one’s well-being and morale, but trying to grasp the present moment and center oneself is a huge step forward. When seeing someone in one’s community struggling to grapple with all of the events happening in their lives, don’t be afraid to reach out and check in on them. Often, having someone there and knowing that one is not alone can help calm them down significantly and prevent them from spiraling further.

Following reaching out, hold space and listen actively to the individual’s needs and concerns. Create a non-judgmental atmosphere and focus on connecting with the person in distress. Be patient with them and be sure to ask what they need at the moment rather than just assuming. If they share something one doesn’t know much about, be sure to educate yourself on the topic and keep an open mind when it comes to learning more about the issue.

Once the individual begins to feel more comfortable and less panicked, try to find the positive aspects of the situation or what can be done moving forward. Remind each other that, amidst all the crises unfolding in the world, there is still hope to be found, and only with a belief in the future will we be able to progress.

For example, although the tragic Annunciation Catholic School and Evergreen High School shootings devastated communities nationally, the protests that followed happened because there was still hope that systems could be reformed. These protests rose out of the tragedies, and although crises should not have to occur for systems to be changed, the consequences of the shootings urged communities to fight harder for the changes that they want.

From events similar to the example, one can find solace in the fact that they are not alone in these crises. Building a community of support and finding the people who will be there for one is crucial in times of crisis. From those communities of support, one can push for change together with others, building a safer world that the people want.