well- being
is considered an overall state or feeling comfortable, healthy, and happy
what is well-being made up of
many components one of which is mental health
what does mental health include
includes psychological, emotional, and social aspects of thinking, feeling, and behaving
what is mental health a prerequisite to
realizing potential, being able to cope with normal life stress, and being productive at work or school
mental health analogy
paralleled with physical health
- having good physical health means your body and organs systems are functioning well; having good mental health means that your mental and emotional systems are functioning well and you can manage the typical stresses of life
well-being analogy
what did Aristotle (384-322 BCE) think about goal of life
goal was eudaimonia, which is often translated as happiness,
- more corresponds to the idea of not being happy but flourishing
the historical origins
various religious and cultural traditions have historically played a part in perpetuating injustice (colonist, sexism, ableism) which results in isolation, marginalization, oppression of particular individuals and communities
Buddhism and well being
balance and harmony with self and environment are important
african religious and cultural traditions
relationships with the land and community members (both living and dead) are important paths to wellness
Ubuntu
African philosophy which shows that a person cannot flourish in isolation but can only grow in connection with others
various religious and cultural traditions
have historically and continue to play a part in perpetuating injustice and thus the isolation, marginalization nod oppression of particular individuals and communities
components of well-being
overall well-being; mental health
NOT defined by the absence of mental illness
- embodies positive psychological, emotional, and social functioning
- positive mental health includes; feeling happy and satisfied with life (emotional well-being), positive functioning and self-realization (psychological functioning), and positive social value (social well-being)
what is mental health related to
your physical health and contributes to your ability to strive and reach your potential, cope with normal life stresses, establish good relationships, and be productive at work
overall well-being; physical health
taking proper care of your body for optimum health and functioning, as well as disease prevention
- closely related to mental health in a reciprocal way
what does optimal physical health require
good sleep, exercise, nutrition, and mental health
overall well-being; supportive/secure environment
current and past environment experiences affect your mental and physical health
- supportive and secure environment is one in which a person feels socially, emotionally, and physically safe valued
contributors to mental health
realizing potential
are you achieving all you can and want?
- your mental health is affected by the degree to which you feel you are reaching your potential and making a meaningful contribution to the world around you, that aligns with your interests and persecptive
emotional health
psychological health
can measure mental health through this
- involves how you think about things and regulate your feelings
- includes the ability to self-reflect, problem solve, manage emotions, be resilient, think, and be attentive
social connectedness
social network or social connectedness involves creating and maintaining good relationships with others and behaving in a socially responsible and acceptable way
- relies upon the development of positive social skills such as empathy
mental health spectrum
mental health exists on a spectrum
- not that you have mental health or you dont
- one can think about mental health states based on certain and defined thresholds
- as you go up in intensity, there are fewer people that are likely to meet that threshold