Crisis refers to personal challenges people encounter at various stages of life. These are often perceived as significant turning points and frequently require decisive action. Type and intensity of crises range from normal life transitions to life-threatening traumatic events. How people respond depends on a number of variables: the nature of the crisis; the individual’s physical health, mental health, and emotional maturity; the individual’s perception of, and attitude toward, the crisis; the quality of support networks; and the availability of financial resources.

How people cope with crises shapes the kind of people they become. If crises are deliberately faced, embraced, and engaged, they can be opportunities for tremendous emotional and spiritual growth leading to wisdom and maturity. But when people avoid a crisis or shun the ...