Wellbeing vs Mental Health
Wellbeing- An overall state or feeling comfortable, healthy and happy. Mental health is one component of well being
Mental health- includes phsyiological, emotional and social aspects of thinking, feeling and behvaing. Mental health is a prerequsite to realizing potential, being able to cope woth normal life stress and being productive at work or school
- mental health is a part of the broader concept of wellbeing
3 components of wellbeing
Mental health, physical health, and supportive/ secure environment
Mental health continuum as a graduated colour spectrum
Shows connection between mental health and wellbeing- they do not necessarily always align: you can have a mental health diagnosis but good wellbeing or no diagnosis but bad wellbeing or you could have poor mental health and wellbeing together it just depends
- place can change over time
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Biopsychosocial model of mental health
1990s to 2000s
- george L engel
Emphasizes interacting roles of biological factors, psychological factors and social factors as contributors to mental illness
Modern use emphasizes that these 3 are not always equal in role of determining mental illness, some mental disorders are more biological than others
Biology- Physical health, genetic, vulnerabilities, drug effects
Social- peers, family, circumstance, relationships
Psychological- Coping skills, family, relationships, self-esteem, mental health
Risk factors
A biological, psychological, sociological characteristic or exposure associated with a higher likelihood of a negative outcome
- sometimes modifiable sometimes not
ex.) Not getting enough sleep, drug use, not having a reliable social network, history of emntal health condition, culture where you are seen as “other”, overthinking, avoiding problems
Protective factors
Characteristic or exposure that lowers the likelihood of negative outcomes or that reduces the impact of risk factors
Examples: having reliable support, friends and family, A good study-life balance, healthy sleep schedule, feeling included, positive thinking, journaling, or talking to a friend
Distal risk factors
a factor that represents an indirect cause orunderlyign vulnerability for a particular condition
Family history and early life
family environment during childhood in terms of family functioning and emotional support as well as degree to which adequate nutrition, housing and a safe nurturing environment was provided. Abuse, neglect and/or peer bullying can have negative effects on mental health later in development such as in transition to higher education. This is treatable
- - ex.) Truama, bullying, unsafe home, poor early attatchment, poor nurtrition, sleep, family history of mental disorders
Proximal risk factors
A factor that represents a direct cause or immediate vulnerability for a particular condition
- choices we make such as using cannabis, binging alcohol, sleep patterns, exercise routine are all things that affect mental health. If initial symptoms of anxiety and depression are left untreated or unresolved they can develop into significant mental health problems.
- distal risk factors can effecr proximal risk facots upon univeristy entry
- ex.) Social isolation, non supportive relationship, alcohol misuse, non regualr exercise, poor sleep, poor regulation, chronic stress
The 3 s’s
Stress, sleep and self-regulation
- three important factors that contribute to an individual’s well-being, mental health resileince and success within life and university.
Self regulation
Involves following a routine and setting a healthy rhythm to your day. There is an important behavioural element to self-regulation. There is an important biological component to self-regulation that involves staying in tune with the body’s naturally occurring rhythms and cycles
- Controlling and managing emotional responses, thinking and behaviours. How to “hit pause button” between event and a feeling, between thought and feeling and between feeling and action
Not adaptive or helpful to lash out at others or have constant strong emotional responses to small preparations- otherwise you would be worried, angry, upset and chronically stressed
Healthy emotional self-regulation helps you succeed
Findings of brain development in 4 different places
- found that grey matter decreases with age in all children in different cohorts by 1.5 percent each year
- found changes between the ages of 4 and 21: different regions lose grey matter at different rates: the back of the brain looses it ooner and the prefrontal cortex, responsible for high-level processes, takes longer
- white matter increases by about 1 percent each year
- brain development peaks in early adulthood
Indicators of possible mental health concern
Changes in feelings: changes in mood: mood swings, irritable/sad, lonely when not alone, more sensitive, decreased hope/anhedonia
changes in behaviour, Changes in thinking, sustained change
Changes in behaviour- Stop going to class, give up hobbies, wothdraw social events, poor sleep, arguments, unhealthy coping
Changes in thinking- poor concentration, self criticism, over-worry, pessismism, self harm
Sustained change- Diddicult feelngs interfere with friendship or school, difficult feelings persist, others you know notice a change
Mental health resources and services
Online wellbeing resources
24 hour hotlines
Counselling (SWS)
Hospital urgent care
Family doctor available at sws
ongoing support like psychologist
Increased mental health demand
Why are off campus clinical services not sufficient for student mental health support needs
What characteristics are most important for student mental health service
How could univeristy support and promote wellbeing and mental health
