Mental wellbeing

Ch 8

Examples of being mentally healthy involves

● in a generally positive state of mental wellbeing,

●having the ability to cope with and manage life’s challenges,

●working productively,

●striving to fulfil one’s goals and potential,

●and having a sense of connection to others and the community in general.

Mentally healthy people demonstrate high levels of:

●functioning

●resilience to life’s stressors

●social and emotional wellbeing

Functioning

refers to how well an individual independently performs or operates in their environment, in terms of:

Functioning in terms of:

●interpersonal relationships e.g. ability to interact with and get along with other people

●school and work/occupational settings e.g. productive and achieving goals

●leisure/recreational activities e.g. participation in extracurricular activities at school, hobbies/interests/structured or unstructured activities in ‘free’ time outside school/work

●daily living skills e.g. participation in self-care and independent living activities such as personal hygiene, dressing, eating, remembering to take any prescribed medications, fulfilling household responsibilities, ability to access private and public transportation and travel/commute safely

●cognitive skills e.g. learning and applying knowledge, understanding and communicating, logical and clear thinking, planning and decision-making

●emotions e.g. self-regulation of a range of emotions, dealing with positive and negative emotions, keeping daily worries, hassles and other stressors under control

Social wellbeing

is based on the ability to have satisfying relationships and interactions with others (APS, 2015).

Social Wellbeing

●develop and maintain healthy relationships with family and friends

●socially interact with others in appropriate ways

●respect and understand other individuals

●respect the cultural identities of others

●competently resolve conflicts with others

●effectively manage unhealthy relationships

●spend time with loved ones

●feel self-confident alone or with others (AIHW, 2012; NIHCE, 2009).

Emotional wellbeing

is based on the ability to control emotions and express them appropriately and comfortably (APS, 2015).

A person with a high level of emotional wellbeing is likely to be willing and able to:

●develop awareness and understanding of their own emotions

●regulate their emotions and exercise control when appropriate

●express a range of emotions in a suitable manner

●identify emotions in others and empathise

●have a positive attitude about emotions, their experience and expression

●consider thoughts and behaviour as well as feelings when making personal choices and decisions

●accept mistakes or setbacks and learn from them

●make decisions with a minimum of worry, stress or anxiety

●manage their stress reactions using appropriate coping skills

●live and work independently while realising the importance of seeking and appreciating the support and assistance of others

●take on challenges, take risks and recognise conflict as being potentially healthy

●take responsibility for their actions (AIHW, 2012; University of California, 2014).

resilience

as the ability to cope with and manage change and uncertainty and restore positive functioning.

Characteristics of resilient people

●a strong belief in their abilities to accomplish tasks and succeed (self-efficacy);

●high self-esteem;

●approaching adversity and stress with a sense of optimism, opportunity and hope;

●being adaptable and flexible;

●being organised;

●having problem-solving skills;

●and having the ability to make realistic plans and carry them out.

Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) for ATSI people

is multidimensional  and holistic framework for wellbeing

What is a part of ATSI SEWB?

●body

●mind and emotions

●family and kinship

●community

●culture

●Country

●spirituality and ancestors

Mental wellbeing involves (txt book)

our state of mind, our enjoyment of life, and our ability to cope with the normal stresses of everyday life and develop to our potential.

is mental wellbeing a singular fixed state?

No, can be considered in terms of variability along a continuum and as fluctuating over time due to the interactive influence of internal and external factors.

When is a persons level of functioning most evident?

In observable behaviours to meet the ordinary demands of everyday life

Explain functioning as a continuum

Functioning varies in level or degree.
High functioning may range from a high level (superior functioning, competent function)

to a moderate level of functioning (due to temporary mental health problem)

to a low level (poor impaired functioning)

Adaptive behaviour

Any behaviour that enables the individual to adjust to the environemnt appropriately and effectively.

Maladaptive Behaviour

Any behaviour that is detrimental, counterproductive, or otherwise interefers with I’s ability to adjust to the environment.

What is persistent maladaptive behaviour associated with?

Low level of functioning.

The term social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) is used by_________ to describe_____

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
the physical, social, emotional, spiritual and cultural wellbeing of a person.

Why is SEWB for ATSI peopl important?

Reflects the collectivist culture of ATSI people
encompasses all elements of being ATSI that are not evident in the mainstream view of mental health and wellbeing.

What does connection to body and behaviours involve in SEWB for ATSI people

All aspects of physical health and wellbeing.

What does connection to mind and emotions involve in SEWB for ATSI people

Emphases I’s personal experince of mental wellbeing, and their ability to manage thoughts and feelings.

What does connection to family and kinship involve in SEWB for ATSI people

Recognises family and kinship systems have always been central to functioning of ATSI peoples lives.

What does connection to community involve in SEWB for ATSI people

Emphasises connection to communal space, creating opportunities to connect with one another.

What does connection to culture involve in SEWB for ATSI people

What does connection to counmtry involve in SEWB for ATSI people

What does connection to spirit, spirituality and ancestors involve in SEWB for ATSI people