
Building resilience—the ability to adapt and recover from adversity—within ourselves, our relationships, and in our communities matters. When we find healthy ways to cope with trauma and toxic stress, especially during the tough times, we take a step closer to becoming more resilient.
Stress takes many forms
- Mood swings and intense feelings, including fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones, sadness, anger, guilt, and disorientation
- Denial, detachment, or avoidance
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Irritability, strained relationships and conflicts with family, friends, and co-workers
- Changes in your normal sleep or eating patterns
- Soreness, nausea, head or stomach ache
- Elevated breathing, heartbeats, and blood pressure
- Sensitivity to unusual sounds, smells, and changes in your environment
- A worsening of preexisting chronic or mental health conditions
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
Reduce stress
Stress and anxiety can make us spiral. Take the time to discover which coping skills work for you, and practice them every day.
Establish a routine
Staying balanced is easier when you build periods of activity and rest into your daily schedule.
Talk it out
Try talking about your experiences and feelings with loved ones, a trusted advisor, or a support group or mental health professional. It can help.
Avoid big decisions when possible
Important decisions are usually stressful in their own right, and can be even harder when you're dealing with a trauma.
Monitor your reactions
Check in with your body and emotions. Know the signs of toxic stress and reach out for help if you feel like you can’t cope.
Care for yourself
You’re not being selfish, you’re showing self-interest. Taking the time to protect your own physical and mental health ensures you have the resources to take care of others.
Get the 3 “goods”
That’s good-for-you foods, a good night’s sleep, and a good amount of exercise.
Relax your body
Do what that works for you, like taking deep breaths, stretching and exercising, meditation, and spiritual activities.
Do something you enjoy
Eat a good meal, read, create a playlist of your favorite music, play video games, or talk to family and friends.
Set boundaries
Don’t let current events take over what you read, watch, or talk about. And don’t be afraid to ask friends and family to talk about something else.
Avoid negative outlets
Find healthy ways to process your emotions. Avoid self-medicating with alcohol, drugs, or risky behaviors.
Apps for mindfulness and well-being
- Calm: Variety of meditation exercises and relaxing soundtracks organized by topic (stress, anxiety, sleep, focus, etc.).
- Happify: Science-based activities and games to overcome worries and stress.
- Headspace: Sets of guided meditations aimed at tackling problems related to stress, anxiety, sleeplessness, and relationships.
- Healthy Minds: Translates neuroscience into tools for everyday life using mindfulness practices and podcast style lessons.
- Insight Timer: Guided meditation app with a variety of mindfulness and meditation practices targeting stress, anxiety, and insomnia.
- Recovery Path: Personalized evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies for people struggling with or recovering from substance use.
- Ten Percent Happier: Large selection of guided meditations and mindfulness practices.
Helpline, hotlines, and virtual support meetings
Not safe at home?
Services and supports are available to people who are unsafe in their home or experiencing violence in any way.
- Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault
608-257-1516 - End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin
608-255-0539 - American Indians Against Abuse
715-634-9980
- Wisconsin Elder Abuse Hotline
833-586-0107 - National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text LOVEIS to 22522 - National Sexual Assault Hotline
800-656-4673
National Disaster Distress Helpline
Speak to a trained counselor
800-985-5990
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Speak to a trained counselor
800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line
Connect with someone who cares
Text HOPELINE to 741741
For caregivers
Eldercare Locator
Find help in your community
800-677-1116
Caregiver Help Desk
Support to keep you and your loved ones safe
855-227-3640
Wisconsin's Family Caregiver Support Programs: Virtual events for caregivers
For essential and frontline workers
COPLINE
Support from retired law enforcement officers who understand the stressors of law enforcement careers
800-267-5463
Physician Support Line
Support for doctors facing mental health challenges
888-409-0141
Safe Call Now
Connect with resources to help you through a crisis
206-459-3020
For farmers and farm families
Wisconsin Farm Center
Support for farmers and their families
800-942-2474
24/7 Farmer Wellness Hotline
Connect with a licensed mental health professional
888-901-2558
For LGBTQ+ community
LGBT National Hotline
888-843-4564
PRISM Program (LGBTQ Youth)
608-336-7974
Trans Lifeline
877-565-8860
The Trevor Project for LGBTQ Youth
866-488-7386
Text START to 678678
For parents and families
Boys Town National Hotline
Connect with a counselor
800-448-3000
Text VOICE to 20121
National Parent Helpline
Get emotional support from a trained advocate and become empowered and a stronger parent
855-427-2736
For people with mental health concerns
Hotlines and helplines
Wisconsin Peer-Run Respites
Speak with someone who knows what you are going through
- Iris Place: 920-815-3217
- La Crosse Lighthouse: 608-519-1489
- Monarch House: 715-505-5641
- Parachute House: 414-877-5918
- Solstice House: 608-244-5077
Wisconsin Peer Recovery Centers
Speak with someone who knows what you are going through
- Cornucopia: 608-249-7477
- The Friendship Connection: 608-339-6810
- The Gathering Place: 920-430-9187
- NAMI Welcome Center: 262-339-1235
- Our Space: 414-383-8921
- RAVE Recovery Avenue: 608-785-9615
- The Wellness Shack: 715-855-7705
NAMI Helpline
Get support for mental health concerns
800-950-NAMI (6264)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Speak with a counselor
800-273-8255
Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America
Support for people impacted by psychosis
800-493-2094
Milwaukee Warmline
Support for people living with a mental health concern
414-777-4729
Virtual meetings
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
- Hearing Voices Network USA
All Wisconsin counties have a behavioral health crisis hotline. Find the phone number for your county.
For people with substance use concerns
Helplines and hotlines
Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline
Connect with support services in your area
833-944-4673
Wisconsin Peer Recovery Centers
Speak with someone who knows what you are going through
- Coulee Recovery Center: 608-784-4177
- Lighthouse Recovery Community Center: 920-374-4433
- Waushara SHINES: 920-787-9095
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Find treatment services in your community
800-662-HELP
Virtual meetings
12 Steps.org
Find tools and resources for 12-step recovery program participants
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Support for people who grew up with harmful substance use in the home
Al-Anon Electronic Meetings
Find online meetings for those affected by alcoholism in a family member or friend
Alcoholics Anonymous Online Intergroup
Find meetings and recovery resources for people living with alcohol use disorder
Crystal Meth Anonymous
Support for people seeking recovery from methamphetamine addiction
Cocaine Anonymous Online
Support for people seeking recovery from cocaine addiction
Families Anonymous Virtual Meetings
Support for those affected by a loved one’s harmful substance use
Heroin Anonymous
Support for people in recovery from heroin addiction
In The Rooms
Find meetings for those recovering from addiction and related issues
LGBTteetotaler
Support for queer and trans people in recovery
Marijuana Anonymous
Support for people seeking recovery from marijuana addiction
Narcotics Anonymous
Support for people seeking recovery from opioid addiction
Recovery Dharma
Support for people on their path of recovery from addiction using Buddhist practices and principles
Refuge Recovery Online Meetings
Find recovery support meetings
SMART Recovery
Participate in meetings, peer message boards, and 24/7 live chat
Sober Mommies
Support for mothers in and contemplating recovery from substance use/misuse (Facebook group)
Wisconsin Voices for Recovery
Participate in twice weekly meetings for all people in recovery
All Wisconsin counties have a behavioral health crisis hotline. Find the phone number for your county.
For service members and veterans
R&R House
Speak with a veteran who understands what you are going through
262-336-9540
Veterans Crisis Line
Support for veterans struggling to cope with life's challenges
800-273-8255, press 1
For youth and young adults
TEEN LINE
Support for teens experiencing a mental health challenge
Text TEEN to 839863
Your Life, Your Voice
Connect with a counselor
800-448-3000
Text VOICE to 20121
Sometimes, even first responders need help
When helping others is your calling, asking for help can be difficult. We’re helping Wisconsin’s police officers, firefighters, dispatchers, emergency health care providers, and others learn how to recognize and deal with the effects of secondary trauma through a free training and resource guide.
Add some color to your life
Taking time to relax, reflect, and do something fun (like coloring!) can help people of all ages build resiliency. Download one or all of our coloring sheets.
- Live Your Best Life (PDF)
- Unleash Your Inner Strength (PDF)
- Take Care of Your Whole Self (PDF)
- Need a Break? It’s Natural (PDF)
- Care Goes the Distance (PDF)
Share a photo of your completed coloring sheet(s) on your social media accounts using #ResilientWisconsin!