--- title: "Sutter Psychologist Shares Tips to Build Resiliency | Sutter Health" description: "Clinical psychologist Dr. Urmi Patel explains why resilience isn't innate and offers her top tips for bouncing back from life's toughest challenges." url: "https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/perspectives/how-to-weather-the-storm-top-tips-for-improving-personal-resiliency" --- 1. [Home](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Perspectives](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/perspectives) / 3. How To Weather The Storm Top Tips For Improving Personal Resiliency # How to Weather the Storm: Top Tips for Improving Personal Resiliency Clinical psychologist Dr. Urmi Patel explains why resilience isn't innate and offers her top tips for bouncing back from life's toughest challenges. May 20, 2020 by Monique Binkley Smith ![How to Weather the Storm: Top Tips for Improving Personal Resiliency](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/perspectives/iStock-1158005042-3f8a5b96.jpg?h=458&iar=0&w=763 "How to Weather the Storm: Top Tips for Improving Personal Resiliency") During tough times, the ability to bounce back from hardship comes in handy. But what if mental resiliency is not someone’s strong suit? Urmi Patel, PsyD **Urmi Patel, PsyD**, a clinical psychologist and director of clinical care for Sutter Mental Health and Addiction Care, defines resilience as “the ability to cope mentally and emotionally with trauma or difficulty, and quickly get back to a state of equilibrium.” And the good news is, according to Dr. Patel, “In general, people have the ability to grow their resilience. It’s not an innate capability, it can develop.” So how does one develop more personal resiliency? In a recent _San Francisco Chronicle_ article, [“Resilience: 15 ways to weather life’s challenges,”](https://www.sfchronicle.com/culture/article/Resilience-16-ways-to-weather-life-s-challenges-15270842.php) Dr. Patel offers her top tips for improving one’s ability to bounce back from adversity. #### **Additional Resources:** People who feel their emotional condition is serious should call their doctor or go to [Mental Health America](https://www.mhanational.org/)’s website, which offers tips and resources for people who feel stressed, anxious or depressed. [National Suicide Prevention Lifeline](https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/) 24/7: (800) 273-8255 [TrevorLifeline](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/) for LGBTQ Youth in Crisis 24/7: (866) 488-7386 [California Peer-Run Warm Line](https://www.mentalhealthsf.org/peer-run-warmline/) 24/7 for Californians Needing Emotional Support: (855) 845-7415 ## Topics [Stress](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/search?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Stress%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=articles)[Mental health](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/search?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Mental+health%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=articles) ![Woman relaxing surounded by plants holding a laptop](https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/EM5OmSghIQErnyINVGCliJ2w4OFGGHbQWFoViU5xxRs/fit=scale-down,dpr=2,width=1024) ## Behavioral health care Your mental health is a vital part of your overall well-being. If you’re struggling with addiction, eating or mood disorders or other challenges, our behavioral health specialists can offer care, comfort and support. [Learn more about Behavioral health care](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/behavioral-health-care) ## Related articles ### [Finding Strength in Being Fully Herself](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/our-people/finding-strength-in-being-fully-herself) ### [Tag Team Approaches Helping Earn Wins for Mental Healthcare](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/community-impact/tag-team-approaches-helping-earn-wins-for-mental-healthcare) ### [Site Updates: Sutter Emeryville Campus](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/community-impact/site-updates-sutter-emeryville-campus) ### [Where Data Meets Care: Advancing Medicine Through Research](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/research-innovation/where-data-meets-care-advancing-medicine-through-research) [See all from Perspectives](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/perspectives) ## Check your Vitals Get the latest in health innovation, community impact and patient care from Sutter Health — delivered straight to your inbox. 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