The last few years have really put the USA’s resilience to the test. From COVID-19 disruptions to inflation, organizational changes, and global uncertainty, both employers and employees have been under significant strain.
From my experience as an IT recruiter in the USA, navigating the job market has often felt like running a marathon through a desert—pushing forward while the finish line seems like a distant mirage. The IT sector has been especially tough, with employers managing tighter budgets, heavier workloads, and change fatigue, while job seekers face frequent rejections and limited opportunities.
I regularly speak with candidates, including senior leaders, who have lost jobs, moved back home, sold property, or looked overseas for work. While I’m not a professional counsellor, much of my role has become about listening and providing support where I can.
This makes the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, “Top Up Together”, particularly meaningful. Resilience isn’t something we build alone—it grows through connection, support, and helping one another through difficult times. So, it leads to the question: what does it really mean to be resilient?
What is resilience?
Resilience means something different for everyone. To me, it’s about how we respond to challenges and our capacity to navigate tough circumstances.
Personally, resilience has never been about simply pushing forward and pretending everything is fine. I’ve struggled with anxiety for most of my life—something I only recognized later, when discussions about mental health became more common.
I first noticed it during university, when I exercised less and partied more—definitely overdoing it at times. Back then, the men around me rarely talked about mental health for fear of judgment. Even though I knew my lifestyle was affecting my wellbeing, I kept it to myself, feeling like I was letting myself down and failing to meet my own expectations, and I dealt with it internally.
Over the years, I’ve discovered that routines, physical activity, and wellness practices like running, cycling, meditation, breath work, lying on a shakti mat, or even plunging into cold water help me maintain balance. Without these outlets, my resilience can quickly drain.
When my 19-month-old son was diagnosed with leukemia on the first day of the COVID lockdown, my understanding of resilience shifted entirely. Our life paused while the world continued. After processing the initial shock and the question of “why us?”, I focused on getting through each day with him.
It was the hardest period of my life—constant stress, sleepless nights, seeing him in pain, and fearing for his life. I had to dig deeper than ever to find the resilience to keep going, and daily runs around Hagley Park became essential for my mental health.
Thankfully, George recovered, and so did we. What helped my wife and me the most was the support and love from family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers, for which we will always be grateful.
This experience changed me profoundly. It taught me to be vulnerable, accept help, share my struggles, and understand that resilience isn’t just about what I can do alone—it’s also about leaning on others for support.
Supporting Each Other at Work
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, themed “Top Up Together”, is a timely reminder that resilience is not something we develop alone. The Mental Health Foundation’s “Five Ways to Wellbeing” framework offers evidence-based practices to help strengthen resilience and overall wellbeing. Here’s how these can be applied both at work and in daily life:
Connect
Make space for meaningful conversations—whether through team check-ins, casual coffee chats, or simply asking colleagues how they’re doing. This is especially crucial for leaders guiding teams through periods of change, helping to monitor wellbeing and prevent burnout.
Give
Generosity doesn’t always require money—giving your time can be just as impactful. Leaders can listen to their teams, while colleagues can lend support with tasks or advice. For those supporting job seekers, reviewing a CV or sharing opportunities within your network can make a significant difference. Small acts of support build trust and strengthen community.
Be Active
Physical activity may seem simple, but it’s vital for mental health. Take breaks to walk, run, cycle, or even hold walking meetings. Managers should encourage their teams to incorporate movement, especially in tech roles where screen time is high.
Take Notice
It’s easy to focus on negatives when anxious. Celebrate small wins, recognize contributions, and acknowledge achievements. Equally, noticing when someone may be struggling is important. Mental Health First Responder training, like the one I completed through Amiti equips you to identify signs of distress and guide colleagues toward support. Even a simple, “Are you okay?” can make a difference. I encourage organizations to explore similar training, such as that offered by Coli berate.
Keep Learning
For job seekers, this could mean taking online courses, earning certifications, or attending webinars in emerging tech fields. For employers, it could involve creating development pathways, mentorship opportunities, or giving staff time to explore new tools. Continuous learning fosters resilience and reinforces that individuals are valued.
Looking Ahead
The IT sector in the USA is full of talent, but many professionals are feeling stretched. Employers should priorities wellbeing, while job seekers must look after themselves during challenging times.
For me, resilience comes from a mix of routine, exercise, gratitude, and the support of others. This Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s focus on “topping up together”, so no one has to face challenges alone.
