A crisis can occur on both a personal and a social level. In any case, there is a stressful change in a person’s life, which turns their perception of themselves and the world around them upside down and previous coping mechanisms no longer work. Although each crisis involves tension, discomfort, and suffering, it also provides an opportunity to rise to a new level of self-awareness.
A crisis can be triggered by any event that makes a person feel powerless: the death or long-term illness of a loved one, divorce, accidents, road accidents, conflicts, falling victim to or witnessing a crime, etc. It can sometimes also be a joyous event: marriage, the birth of a child, the achievement of a long-term goal, etc. Also, the social, political, or economic situation, war, disturbances, and destruction caused by natural disasters, etc. But it can also be an inevitable developmental crisis: puberty, entering adulthood, leaving the safety of one’s come, etc. Most people cope with these feelings themselves or require minimal help.
Everyone can encounter a crisis in their life. They’re just a part of life. People experience crises in different ways. Crises may leave scars, but they can be overcome, and the consequences can be lived with.
No one should be left alone with their worries. Seek help and notice and help others.
For urgent questions, please contact or call:
- 116111 Child Helpline (including in Russian) for children, young people, and adults. Free, anonymous, and 24/7. Lasteabi.ee chat is also available in Russian and English.
- 126 (in Estonian) and 127 (in Russian) helplines.
- 1226 (in Estonian, Monday to Friday from 16:00 to 20:00) and 1227 (in Russian, Tuesdays from 16:00 to 20:00) school psychologists’ hotline.
- 16106 victim support helpline.
- 6314300 psychological crisis helpline (weekdays from 9:00 to 20:00).
- 6558 088 (in Estonian), 655 5688 (in Russian) Emotional support helpline (daily from 19:00 to 07:00).
- +372 56659118 refugee crisis helpline.
- 612 3500 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 15:00) or migrationadvice@politsei.ee migration advisers.
Published in the youth information portal Teeviit in 2022.
