People affected by multiple sclerosis may find MS symptoms and the emotional and spiritual challenges of living with the disease overwhelming. But many people living with chronic diseases like MS have learned to integrate behaviors in their daily lives that promote resilience to not only cope with the disease, but thrive with it. Resilience creates a mindset of growth and opportunities to see obstacles as challenges rather than threats.
Some people have a natural tendency to be optimistic and to look for solutions to problems. But even if that’s not the case for you, you can learn to build resilience by learning and practicing strategies.
When people become more resilient, they also experience positive changes in their moods, relationships and self-confidence, and are apt to see more opportunities in life. Instead of merely bouncing back, they bounce forward.
This virtual program aims to empower, educate and equip members of the MS community with inspiring examples, tools and resources to help put positive psychology to work in their own lives.
You will lead conversations on the concept of resilience, examine why some people seem to come by it more naturally than others, and talk about strategies to create or enhance resiliency skills.
Discussion guides filled with questions and virtual tools will complement the themes in the video and help with facilitating conversation. By implementing the program in a small group setting, you can focus on the power of shared experience and develop solutions as a group.
Program participants will:
- Be able to define resilience
- Have a better understanding of the role resilience plays in managing MS and life challenges
- Have strategies and tools to build personal resilience in the face of adversity
The program is 1.5 hours in length.
- Welcome and Program Overview - 10 minutes
- Discussion 1: What is Resilience? - 20 minutes
- Discussion 2: Finding Resilience Within - 20 minutes
- Discussion 3: Building and Nurturing Resilience - 20 minutes
- Discussion 4: Reflection - 20 minutes
All of the information to lead this program is located on this virtual toolkit webpage. You can reach out to your staff partner to discuss how you can plan and schedule your program in partnership with the National MS Society. We also have a
training guide which outlines the process for delivering a virtual Society-developed program to a self-help group.