The phenomenon of resilience as described by people who have experienced mental illness

The purpose of this research was to explore the phenomenon of resilience as described by consumers of mental health services in Victoria, Australia who have experienced mental illness. In keeping with Colaizzi’s (1978) approach to inquiry, information in this study was gathered through in-depth, semi-structured individual interviews. Information analysis was undertaken using Colaizzi’s (1978) seven-step approach, with the inclusion of two additional steps- making this study’s analysis a nine step process. Emergent themes were explicated from the findings of this study as follows: Universality; Acceptance; Naming and knowing; Faith, hope and being the fool; Striking a balance; Having meaning and meaningful relationships; and ‘Just doing it’. The emergent concept which encapsulated the themes was ‘viewing life from the ridge with eyes wide open’. In respect of this concept, participants described resilience was achieved by choosing to walk through the darkness all the while knowing the risks and dangers ahead; Making a decision for life through the hardships. That is, following a moment of enlightenment through ‘naming and knowing’, participants said they were able to start making decisions and to process what was happening to them by having faith, hope, acceptance, and by ‘just getting on with life’. It is suggested that resilient behaviours can be learned and interwoven with life experiences. In this context, there is the potential to guide therapeutic interventions in various clinical and educational settings.