PSYC105-25S1-LecB-In-s1-full

Lecture Overview

  • The second lecture welcomes students on a sunny afternoon.

  • Introduction of Dylan from UniLife to discuss student activities and social engagement.

UniLife Overview

Purpose

  • A program for first-year undergraduate students not living in halls.

  • Provides a social space for connecting with peers and participating in campus activities.

Activities

  • Weekly events, including:

    • Drop-in sessions

    • Specific events like Fresher Fiesta Carnival and Easter event

  • Led by 25 student leaders for support and engagement.

Sign-Up Information

  • Students can sign up via a QR code shared during the presentation.

  • Encouragement to follow UC Uni Life on social media.

Administrative Notices

Lab Allocations

  • Warning against switching lab allocations due to high demand.

  • Changing labs only for unavoidable reasons by emailing relevant tutors.

Introduction of Professor Julia Ruckledge

  • Professor Ruckledge will discuss well-being science and practice in upcoming lectures.

  • Personal anecdotes about her background and experiences in clinical psychology.

Personal Journey of Professor Ruckledge

Background

  • Born in Toronto, Canada, and educated in neurobiology and clinical psychology.

  • Early career in Montreal and Calgary.

Focus and Research Interests

  • Specialization in nutrition and mental health.

  • Shifted focus to well-being to prevent mental health issues instead of just treatment.

  • Emphasis on resilience and skill-building for handling adversity.

Mental Health Statistics

Overview of the Issue

  • Current challenges faced in mental health (approx. 20% of South Island population).

  • Rise in mental health issues from 2010-2021:

    • 73% increase in ADHD diagnoses

    • 39% in Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

    • 76% increase in anxiety

  • Rising distress observed in undergraduate students with significant depressive symptoms over nearly two decades.

Treatment Gaps

  • Insufficient clinical psychologist numbers to meet national needs.

  • Approx. one psychologist for every 258 people.

Need for Change

  • Importance of preventive measures in mental health.

  • Encouragement towards resilience-building rather than solely relying on clinical interventions.

Historical Context of Mental Health Treatment

Critique of Traditional Approaches

  • Criticism of waiting for mental health issues to arise before seeking help.

  • Call for a cultural shift towards resilience and preventive care.

Positive Psychology Movement

  • Introduction of Martin Seligman’s ideas on happiness and well-being.

  • Importance of developing skills for a fulfilling life versus merely alleviating distress.

Models of Well-Being

Eudaimonia vs. Hedonic Happiness

  • Eudaimonia: Long-term fulfillment and holistic health.

  • Hedonic: Immediate pleasures that do not equate to sustainable happiness.

Seligman's PERMA Model

  • Breakdown of well-being components:

    • Positive emotions

    • Engagement

    • Relationships

    • Meaning

    • Accomplishment

  • Encouragement for students to assess their well-being using this model.

Benefits of Well-Being

  • High subjective well-being linked to:

    • Better health outcomes

    • Enhanced relationships

    • Increased creativity

    • Stronger immune system.

Discussion on Causes of Happiness

Influencers of Happiness

  • Family, connections, activities (like exercise), and food.

Examination of Money and Materialism

  • Money saturated positivity until basic needs are met (approx. $75,000 for optimal happiness).

  • Overemphasis on material goods leads to decreased life satisfaction.

Love and Relationships

  • Love's impact on happiness is initially positive but back to baseline over time.

Academic Success and Happiness

  • Short-lived effects of academic achievements on overall happiness.

  • Exploration of "miswanting" - the misunderstanding of future happiness based on current desires.

Conclusion

  • Summary of well-being crucial in mental health discourse.

  • Encouragement to pursue resilience and coexistence with emotional realities.

  • Reminder of upcoming lectures and deeper dives into these topics.