9A- ways of considering mental wellbeing Flashcards
what can mental health and wellbeing be shown through
or similarly, how is it measured?
a spectrum or continuum from high to low. and this can change depending on experiences and resilience
what is wellbeing
state where an individual is mentally, physically and socially healthy and secure
what is mental wellbeing
an individuals current state of mind including their ability to think, process information and regulate emotions
CURRENT STATE OF MIND
how can mental wellbeing be considered
similarly, what to look for when appraising mental wellbeing?
level of functioning
resilience
social and emotional wellbeing
what do mentally healthy people display
have a high level of functioning
manage their feelings and emotions (high level of emotional wellbeing)
can form positive relationships with others (high level of social wellbeing)
cope with the normal stresses that arise every day; that is, they have the resilience to cope with and manage change and uncertainty
think logically and problem solve
have reasonable levels of confidence in their abilities and self-esteem.
higher point on the continuum without a mental impairment
what are the 6 major life domains as established by WHO disability assessment schedule 2.0
cognition – understanding and communicating
mobility – moving and getting around
self-care – hygiene, dressing, eating and staying alone
getting along – interacting with other people
life activities – domestic responsibilities, leisure, work and school
participation – joining in community activities.
with rankings from 0-4 with 0 being easy and 4 being extreme difficulty
what does social wellbeing
connections you make with other people and your ability to get along with them in a community
what are some examples of high levels of social wellbeing
developing positive relationships with family and friends
respecting and interacting appropriately with people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds
being able to work as part of a team, such as at work or in a sports team
contributing to society in some way such as through a volunteer organisation.
what is emotional wellbeing
the ability to feel a range of emotions and express them in a positive way.
what are some examples of high levels of emotional wellbeing
expressing a range of emotions relevant to the context
controlling different emotions and responding to them in a positive manner
acting in a positive manner and having a positive outlook
identifying emotions in others and responding appropriately
responding with appropriate emotions to setbacks.
contrast high levels of functioning with low levels of functioning.
a person with a high level of functioning can act independently and fulfil any desired tasks. conversely those with low levels of functioning would struggle with day to day functions and are reliant on someone else. they tend to feel more lethargic and unable to cope with environmental changes
what is resilience
Resilience is the ability to cope with and adapt to life stressors which results in restored positive mental functioning. the ability to bounce back after a stressor
what are some resources required to cope with stressors and promote resilience
strong social support, high levels of self efficacy, able to problem solve and being able to have goal directed behaviour
how can resilience be shown
through adjusting to the stressor or through overcoming the stressor
people who display resilience will demonstrate:
more content (satisfied) with their life
have higher self-efficacy and work towards their goals ü are more optimistic
have hope for the future
generally more flexible and realistic in the way they view stressors in their lives.
contrast how someone may react with and without high levels of resilience
for those with high levels of resilience they may seek solutions to their problems, use appropriate coping strategies and be flexible, optimistic and hopeful.
for those with low levels of resilience, they may have enduring feelings of feeling overwhelmed, rely on unhealthy or unhelpful coping strategies, struggle to adapt to change and be pessimistic and lack hope
what is a mental health problem
a mental health problem is in the middle of the mental wellbeing continuum and disrupts everyday functioning. it can be temporary and mild disrupting usual social and emotional wellbeing
what can mental health problems be caused by
stressors like relationships or work
what are some characteristics of mental health problems
increased or decreased sleep and appetite
loss of energy and motivation
difficulty concentrating
difficulty focusing/completing work or study tasks
irritability
becoming withdrawn.
what is a mental disorder
a condition that impacts mood, thinking and behaviour for a prolonged period of time
what can mental disorders lead too
distress → unpleasant experience of them and those around them due to unpleasant emotions
dysfunction → impact on the persons ability to complete daily activities and cope with everyday life
deviance → thoughts and behaviours that are inconsistent with culture or society
what are some characteristics of a mental disorder
reduced levels of day-to-day functioning
reduced ability to cope with and manage change and uncertainty
impaired ability to engage in social relationships
significant changes in thoughts, feelings and behaviours or a lack of interest (apathy)
serious or prolonged changes in typical character
impaired ability to function independently, such as taking care of oneself at home.
what is the SEWB framework
the social and emotional wellbeing framework was developed to understand mental wellbeing as it is multidimensional consisting of 7 dimensions that are influenced by 3 determinants in a holistic way
what is integral to SEWB
culture, linguistic diversity and cultural identity → promoting a collectivist perspective tied to family and community
what does SEWB stem from
connection to individuals, family, community, land, culture, spirituality and ancestry
domain: connection to body
connecting to the physical body and health in order to fully participate in all aspects of life
risk factors: connection to body
Chronic and communicable diseases
Poor diet
Smoking
protective factors: connection to body
Access to good healthy food
Exercise
Access to culturally safe, culturally competent and effective health services and professionals
domain: connection to mind and emotions
Ability to effectively manage thoughts and feelings.
risk factors: connection to mind and emotions
Developmental/ cognitive impairments and disability
Racism
Mental illness
Unemployment
Trauma including childhood trauma
protective factors: connection to mind and emotions
Education
Agency: assertiveness, confidence and control over life
Strong identity
domain: connection to family and kinship
Connection to the immediate and wider family group and community.
risk factors: connection to family and kinship
Absence of family members
Family violence
Child neglect and abuse
Children in out-of-home care
protective factors: connection to family and kinship
Loving, stable accepting and supportive family
Adequate income
Culturally appropriate family-focused programs and services
domain: connection to community
Connection to wider social systems, providing individuals and families the ability to connect with and support each other.
risk factors: connection to community
Family feuding
Lateral violence
Lack of local services
Isolation
Disengagement from community
Lack of opportunities for employment in community settings
protective factors: connection to community
Support networks
Community controlled services
Self-governance
domain: connection to culture
A strong sense of identity, values, tradition, and connection between the past, present, and future that drives behaviour and beliefs.
risk factors: connection to culture
Elders passing on without full opportunities to transmit culture
Services that are not culturally safe
Languages under threat
protective factors: connection to culture
Contemporary expressions of culture
Attending national and local cultural events
Cultural institutions
Cultural education
Cultural involvement and participation
domain: connection to country
The traditional lands of a particular language or cultural group, both geographically and the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual connections to and within it.
risk factors: connection to country
Restrictions on access to Country
protective factors: connection to country
Time spent on Country
domain: connection to spirituality and ancestors
Spirituality refers to a concept that connects all things, and shapes beliefs, values, and behaviour. It guides knowledge systems, culture, and all that
is life for Aboriginal people, including connections to ancestors, the past, the present, and the future.
Ancestors refer to a belief that a family and community’s ancestors are interconnected with Creation spirits and Country and watch over, guide, and protect families and communities in the physical and spiritual world.
risk factors: connection to spirituality and ancestors
No connection to the spiritual dimension of life
protective factors: connection to spirituality and ancestors
Opportunities to attend cultural events and ceremonies
Contemporary expressions of spirituality
social determinants
The circumstances in which people grow, live, and work, and the systems put in place to deal with illness (WHO, 2008).
historical determinants
The ongoing influence of events, policies, and trauma on groups of people (AHRC, 2007).
political determinants
Political policies that shape the process of distributing resources and power to individuals and communities, and create or reinforce social and health inequalities (Dawes, 2020).
How does the WHO define mental health (and wellbeing)?
A state of emotional and social wellbeing in which individuals realise their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and can contribute to their community
List three characteristics you would expect a mentally healthy person to demonstrate.v
Have high levels of functioning
Cope with the normal stresses that arise in day-to-day life (resilience)
Be able to form positive relationships with others (social wellbeing)
Think logically and problem solve
Have reasonable levels of confidence in their abilities and self-esteem
Manage their feelings and emotions (emotional wellbeing)
What tool does the WHO recommend for determining someone’s level of functioning?
WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0)
Explain the difference between social wellbeing and emotional wellbeing.
Social wellbeing relates to the connections you make with other people and your ability to get along with such people in a community, whereas emotional wellbeing relates to the ability to be able to feel a range of emotions and express these in a positive way.
Describe what it means for mental wellbeing to be represented on a continuum.
Mental wellbeing ranges from low to high, and each person is placed in between these two ends. People can move up and down the continuum depending on personal and social circumstances, biological factors and resilience.
Explain the difference between mental health problems and mental disorders.
A mental health problem is typically recognised by the disruption that it causes to a person’s everyday functioning. These problems typically don’t last as long as mental disorders and may result in mild and temporary impairment, whereas a mental disorder is typically long lasting and affects mood, thinking and behaviour and are typically diagnosed by a trained healthcare professional using set criteria.
List the seven domains that make up the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing framework.
Connection to body
Connection to mind and emotions
Connection to family and kinship
Connection to community
Connection to culture
Connection to Country
Connection to spirituality and ancestors
Explain why considering mental wellbeing within a social and emotional wellbeing framework may be useful for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
An SEWB framework is useful for considering mental wellbeing, particularly for Aboriginal people because it makes it clear that a range of determinants play a role in influencing mental wellbeing, such as social, historical and political. It also considers that Aboriginal mental health issues are still entwined with the past injustices associated with colonisation.
List three characteristics of a person who has mental health problems.
increased or decreased sleep and appetite
loss of energy and motivation
difficulties concentrating
becoming withdrawn.
Describe the characteristics of someone demonstrating a high level of functioning.
Complete activities of daily living, e.g. self-care and personal hygiene.
Participate in work or occupational settings, e.g. productive and achieving targets.
Participate in school settings, e.g. participating and getting along with others.
Develop and maintain friendships and relationships.
Give three characteristics of a mentally healthy person.
lack mental impairment
have high levels of functioning
be able to form positive relationships with others (high levels of social wellbeing)
manage their feelings and emotions (high levels of emotional wellbeing)
cope with normal, day-to-day stresses; that is, the resilience to be able to cope with and manage change and uncertainty
think logically and problem solve
have reasonable levels of confidence in their abilities and self-esteem.
Outline why resilience to stressors might indicate that you are mentally healthy.
A person who is mentally healthy may encounter a life stressor and feel equipped to cope with it, demonstrating resilience, whereas a person who is not mentally healthy may not feel adequately able to deal with such a stressor. Thus resilience demonstrates a good level of mental wellbeing.
Describe how the social and emotional wellbeing framework influences the view that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples may have of mental wellbeing.
For Aboriginal people, mental wellbeing is one element of a multidimensional and holistic view of social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB). SEWB can be considered the foundation for physical and mental health for Aboriginal people. This is a holistic concept that may change across the lifespan of an individual, where what is important for a child’s social and emotional wellbeing may be quite different from what is important to an Elder, thus influencing mental wellbeing at different stages of the lifespan.
Outline how a connection to community may influence mental wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
A connection to community may allow Aboriginal people to connect with their families and other members of their community. This may promote mental wellbeing and help relieve levels of stress and anxiety, given this community support on offer.
mental health and wellbeing
emotional state in which a person realises their abilities, copes with the normal stresses of life, works productively and contributes to their community
resilience
the ability to recover from adversity
mentally healthy
the state of not having difficulty with everyday activities and displaying resilience
high level of functioning
the ability to carry out a wide range of daily activities, attend to self- care, maintain interpersonal relationships and demonstrate resilience in the face of everyday challenges
wellbeing
a complex combination of a person’s physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual health that is linked to happiness and life satisfaction
social wellbeing
relates to the connections you make with other people and your ability to get along with people in a community
emotional wellbeing
relates to the ability to feel a range of emotions and express them in a positive way
life stressor
an everyday or conceivable event, such as a relationship breakdown, work challenge or failing a test
mental health problem
a relatively short- term disruption that impacts on a person’s everyday functioning
mental disorder
a condition that affects mood, thinking and behaviour and is typically long lasting
