Most people would agree that having an injury or illness means that you may have more things to cope with in life than most people. As well as the physical changes to what you can and cannot do, there may be changes to relationships, problems with access in the home and in the community, health issues and extra financial concerns.  Along with all these changes are the feelings and emotions that can often be hard to deal with. While most people find their own ways of coping with these issues, there are times when we all need some extra help or some tips about ways we can cope a bit better.

In fact, some of the ways we cope with our problems are healthy and effective and help us to achieve our goals. Some of the other ways we try to cope are more unhealthy, create more problems, and hinder us from being who we want to be.

The good news is that healthy ways of coping can be learned and unhealthy ways of coping can be replaced.

This section aims to give some advice and tips for those people who may feel they are not coping as well as they could be and for those who may need extra help. If you have had a spinal inury or head injury, there is additional information that can help you to better understand yourself and your experiences.  Take a look at the Handbook of Spinal Cord Injuries or contact CRS Australia to request a copy of their useful Acquired Brain Injury and Mental Health Kits.

If you are a partner, parent, family member or friend of someone with an injury or illness there are ways you can help your loved one to cope in healthy ways. You can also make sure that your own ways of coping are healthy.