Prescription for Resilience: Coping with COVID
Feb. 26, 2021
The global pandemic has led to devastating loss and isolation for Canadians and people around the world. The challenges have been immense, and we are all looking for ways to cope. One of the greatest resources we have right now is one another.
Prescription for Resilience: Coping with COVID is a special series of stories presented by CBC Radio One’s White Coat, Black Art. Canadians share what they have done to cope and where they have found resilience in their daily lives, in both big and small ways. The hope is that these stories will provide inspiration that can be applied to your own life.
Some of these stories were featured in the White Coat, Black Art programs. Listen: Part one | Listen: Part two.
How teaching Urdu to her granddaughters gave this grandmother purpose in a pandemic
How teaching Urdu to her granddaughters gave this grandmother purpose in a pandemic
‘This is generational stuff, this is something they’ll remember for life,’ says Zahida MurtazaRead More
How faith and family helped CFL player Henoc Muamba cope after losing his mother-in-law to COVID-19
How faith and family helped CFL player Henoc Muamba cope after losing his mother-in-law to COVID-19
FIRST PERSON | With career on hold and baby on the way, the death of a loved one made him re-evaluate his role in the familyRead More
1,000 km and up: 'Something I could control,' says Toronto woman of daily walks during pandemic
1,000 km and up: 'Something I could control,' says Toronto woman of daily walks during pandemic
'It's a sense of accomplishment that makes the rest of the day approachable,' says Catherine HarrisRead More
This Toronto mom was juggling 3 kids, 2 jobs and community work — then she got COVID. Here's how she managed
This Toronto mom was juggling 3 kids, 2 jobs and community work — then she got COVID. Here's how she managed
FIRST PERSON | 'It did test my anxiety and my limits,' says Anna-Kay BrownRead More
How running helped me get through pandemic isolation, and the grief of losing my father
How running helped me get through pandemic isolation, and the grief of losing my father
PERSONAL ESSAY | After Chantelle Richmond lost her father to cancer in December 2019, the pandemic cut her off from her familyRead More
How daily walks help this B.C. woman, 97, take the pandemic in stride
How daily walks help this B.C. woman, 97, take the pandemic in stride
FIRST PERSON | ‘You accept you’re getting older, but you can still do many things,’ says Sheila WhiteRead More
Painting through the pandemic: How art helped me through grief and loss
Painting through the pandemic: How art helped me through grief and loss
PERSONAL ESSAY | Author Manjushree Thapa picked up a paint brush and reconnected with what had brought joy in her youth.Read More
Toronto woman's path to resilience during pandemic goes through her front door
Toronto woman's path to resilience during pandemic goes through her front door
'I just wanted to participate in our community,' says Heidi TsaoRead more
What working in an Antarctic station taught this researcher about coping with isolation
What working in an Antarctic station taught this researcher about coping with isolation
Q&A | 'We are human.... It’s OK to struggle,’ says Dr. Nick SmithRead more
How art and community service help an Ontario woman battle pandemic loneliness
How art and community service help an Ontario woman battle pandemic loneliness
‘I put everything I have in my brain in them. I’m very eclectic,’ says Jennifer EasthamRead more
How writing a song a week helps Halifax musician cope with grief
How writing a song a week helps Halifax musician cope with grief
When George Woodhouse lost his father to cancer in May, the pandemic made the loss even harder to bearRead more
How 7 months stuck at an airport provided a Syrian refugee with skills to survive a pandemic
How 7 months stuck at an airport provided a Syrian refugee with skills to survive a pandemic
‘When I touched the lowest moment in my life, I understood what hope is,’ says Hassan Al KontarRead more
After a tragic accident, a young Manitoba nurse offers inspiration through social media
After a tragic accident, a young Manitoba nurse offers inspiration through social media
'Hopefully somebody else in a bad situation could laugh at my videos,' she says of TikTok successRead more
How a Calgary musician gave the gift of music to help relieve pandemic anxiety
How a Calgary musician gave the gift of music to help relieve pandemic anxiety
Concert harpist Gianetta Baril spent two months touring in a van she converted into a rolling concert hallRead more
Vancouver artist turns to music to fill in void created by pandemic
Vancouver artist turns to music to fill in void created by pandemic
AUDIO | Artist Erin Despard says listening to music allows ‘your body to relax and restore itself’Listen
Sheila White, 97, stays active and connected to her community throughout the pandemic.
Life is nothing but one option: to keep moving, to wake up every morning and start chasing your dream again.
PHOTOS: Finding resilience
images expandClockwise from top left: Anna-Kay Brown, shown here with her children, learned the importance of self-care and how to make time for family. (Submitted by Anna-Kay Brown); Chantelle Richmond, shown here with her family, turned to running to cope with loss and isolation. (Submitted by Chantelle Richmond); Manjushree Thapa’s art helped her cope with grief (Manjushree Thapa); Brianna Seewald used her recovery to entertain and inspire her social media followers. (Submitted by Brianna Seewald); Jennifer Eastham used art to battle pandemic loneliness. (Submitted by Jennifer Eastham)
LISTEN: White Coat, Black Art's Prescription for Resilience special
CBC Radio’s White Coat, Black Art | Producers: Sujata Berry, Rachel Sanders, Dawna Dingwall, Host: Dr. Brian Goldman
Lead digital producer: Ruby Buiza, Writers: Paul Gallant, Ruby Buiza, Copy editors: Jonathan Ore, Mary Vallis | Video producer: Andrew Nguyen, Videographer: Curtis Allen | Web design and development: Geoff Isaac, Art director: Ben Shannon