Monday, July 14, 2025

The Summit Dilemma (Part 1 of 2)

What matters most in the decision-making process affecting your well-being goals: logic or emotion?

By Quentin Steen, Representative/BC Member Education Coordinator

The wind howled fiercely across the rocky, snow-covered slopes of the mountain as the final group of climbers stared at the summit just a few thousand feet away.

It had been days of grueling effort, aching muscles, and the kind of exhaustion that only extreme conditions could bring. Each step felt like a battle, and the thin air made even the simplest task feel like an insurmountable challenge.

But now, as they stood on a narrow ridge, the decision had become clear: one person had to go.

It wasn’t a matter of strength anymore. The team had grown close over the past few weeks—climbing together, enduring the unbearable cold, and pushing through their limits.

But with the summit in sight, they were forced to confront a harsh reality.

Every climber had their own story, their own sacrifices, their own strength and weaknesses. Yet, only one could make it to the top.

The slowest climber, Emily, had become a point of contention. She wasn’t injured, but her pace had significantly slowed, causing the rest of the group to wait, often growing colder with each passing minute.

The last few climbs had been particularly difficult for her, and many began to whisper among themselves about whether she could continue.

“She might not make it through the next climb,” one of them murmured under their breath. “If she’s slowing us down now, it’s only going to get worse.”

But Emily had a heartwarming story. She was the kind of person who always had a smile, even when she was in pain. She was the glue that kept the team together, with her constant optimism and encouragement.

The group admired her for her unwavering determination to push through, despite her struggles. She had become the emotional backbone of the team.

Then there was Jake, the leader of the group. Strong, capable, and respected by everyone for his experience and leadership. He was the one who kept the team motivated when morale dipped, the one who led them through difficult terrain, always with a calm and reassuring presence.

But in the last leg of their journey, Jake had broken one of the cardinal rules—the rule that had kept them all alive and together: travel together, and never leave anyone behind.

During a particularly harsh climb, Jake had been moving ahead to scout the route when Emily had fallen behind. He hadn’t waited. He had pressed on, making sure to keep a positive face for the others, but ignoring the group’s most fundamental rule.

Now, as the others saw him, the doubt lingered. Was he still the leader they needed?

“Should we vote him off?” whispered Sarah, one of the climbers. “He broke the rule. We were supposed to stick together. If we don’t have trust, we have nothing.”

The decision weighed heavily on everyone. Emily’s slowing pace jeopardized their chances of making it to the summit. But Jake’s violation of the rule threatened their unity.

As much as the group admired Jake for his ability to lead with such poise, it was clear that he had lost the trust of some of the others.

In Next Month’s Mental Health Moment, we will explore the complexity of those decision-making moments and what matters most: logic or emotion in the decision-making process affecting your well-being goals.

Quentin Steen is a certified mental health first aid instructor for the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Get your BRAIN right and your MIND will follow!

3 Mental Health Resources to Help You

If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health issue, CLAC has a number of resources and interactive tools available to help you at My Health and Wellness.
Stronger Minds features videos and quick reads from mental health experts, activities to help you gain resilience, and ask-an-expert videos in response to questions.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) provides accessible, reliable, and professionally produced resources on an array of health topics including (but not limited to): addictions, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, depression, etc.

The Summit Dilemma (Part 1 of 2)

3 Mental Health Resources to Help You

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