Since the dawn of this anime a question has popped into my mind time and again. "Why is Madoka considered any more emotionally strong than the others?"

Because she didn't snap and try to kill anyone?

Because she never fell into despair and became a witch?

People often use Mami as an example of how she's emotionally weak while Madoka is the one who stood strong through it all, but I kind of take issue with this because Madoka is for the most part the one who had the opportunity to stay a normal girl for most of the show.

Let's take a look at Mami and her life situation. Car accident, parents dead, lives alone in a small apartment (with furnishings dependent on the TV/BD release) had no choice but to unknowingly sell her soul and spend the rest of her days walking down a lonely road where pretty much the only thing keeping her sane is her idealistic vision of being a magical girl. When she finds out that's all a lie it's no wonder she feels like there's nothing for her but death.

Madoka meanwhile even as a Magical Girl lives in a big fancy house, has her family to turn to for support and comfort, has two friends and even more if the rest of the team is counted. Even in episode 10 when half the team gets wiped out in the span of five minutes, Madoka is ready to break down but Homura is there to talk her out of it.

It is said that Sayaka acts boastful but is inwardly insecure, and when she finds out she's basically undead, she understandably spirals down the drain to despair.

Meanwhile Madoka is outwardly insecure, but deep down wants to be confident and helpful to others. If Madoka had been the one in Sayaka's position (as seen in episode 6) I have to wonder if she'd end up the same way or if she'd be able to look past it and continue going.

At least in Madoka's case her parents actually exist, and she's not stuck in a love triangle.

And let's not even get into Kyouko's situation. Tatsuya is cute as sin and I can't even begin to imagine his situation if Madoka and Kyouko's places were swapped.

Also, one more important factor that makes it difficult to say "Madoka stood strong throughout the entire show." She was being stopped from making a contract by her satellite. If was able to find out that Soul Gems are souls without actually having one. 

And she did break down quite a bit, but since she's not as deep in the rabbit hole as any of the others, despair didn't equal death for her, and she had plenty of support through it all. Where was Sayaka's support? It was only Madoka really.

So would I say Madoka is emotionally the strongest of the four? It's hard to say because Madoka's situation is so unique. The only trauma she shares with any of the other cast is watching Mami die, and even when Sayaka spirals into despair it's not enough for her to just curl up and give up on life.