mental wellbeing

Question 1

wellbeing

Answer 1

 a state in which an individual is mentally, physically, and socially healthy and secure

Question 2

mental wellbeing

Answer 2

an individual’s psychological state, including their ability to think, process information, and regulate emotions

Question 3

ways of considering mental wellbeing

Answer 3

levels of functioning, resilience, social and emotional wellbeing

Question 4

levels of functioning

Answer 4

the degree to which an individual can complete day-to-day tasks in an independent and effective manner

Question 5

characteristics of high levels of functioning

Answer 5

• carry out basic everyday tasks, such as maintaining personal hygiene and dressing appropriately
• be productive in completing daily tasks
• set goals and take steps towards achieving them
• be independent
• adapt to changes in the environment.

Question 6

characteristics of low levels of functioning

Answer 6

• struggle to carry out basic tasks, such as maintaining personal hygiene and dressing appropriately
• feel uncharacteristically lethargic or tired and thus be unproductive in achieving tasks
• lack direction or be able to set goals in life
• be unable to cope with changes in the environment.

Question 7

resilience

Answer 7

the ability to cope with and manage change and uncertainty

Question 8

characteristics of high levels of resilience

Answer 8

• seek solutions to problems
• use appropriate coping strategies
• be flexible in changing circumstances
• be optimistic and hopeful.

Question 9

characteristics of low levels of resilience

Answer 9

• experience enduring feelings of being overwhelmed when problems arise
• rely on unhealthy or unhelpful coping strategies
• be unable to adapt to change
• lack hope and optimism.

Question 10

social wellbeing

Answer 10

the ability for an individual to form and maintain meaningful bonds with others, and adapt to different social situations

Question 11

emotional wellbeing

Answer 11

the ability for an individual to appropriately control and express their own emotions in an adaptive way, as well as understand the emotions of others

Question 12

social emotional wellbeing

Answer 12

aspects of overall mental wellbeing that are deeply linked to one another, and that are understood differently in different communities

Question 13

high levels of social wellbeing

Answer 13

• have a strong support network
• be able to form and maintain meaningful relationships
• be able to effectively communicate with others

Question 14

low levels of social wellbeing

Answer 14

• be isolated or lack support from others
• have difficulty forming and maintaining meaningful relationships
• struggle to effectively communicate with others.

Question 15

high levels of emotional wellbeing

Answer 15

• be aware of their own and others’ current emotional state
• experience a wide range of emotions
• express emotions at appropriate times.

Question 16

low levels of emotional wellbeing

Answer 16

• be unable to understand or name their own and others’ emotions
• feel numb or be unable to experience certain emotions
• express emotions inappropriately or at inappropriate times (for example, yelling at your boss while at work).

Question 17

Social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB)

Answer 17

a framework that includes all elements of being, and therefore wellbeing, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Question 18

multidimensional

Answer 18

meaning that it is made up of different components

Question 19

holistic

Answer 19

which reflects an approach to wellbeing that considers the whole person, including their mental, physical, spiritual, and social needs.

Question 20

connection to body

Answer 20

Connecting to the physical body and health to participate fully in all aspects of life.
* Maintaining a healthy weight.
* Access to good nutrition.
* Managing illness and disability.

Question 21

connection to mind and emotions

Answer 21

Ability to effectively manage thoughts and feelings
* Maintaining self-esteem.
* Connecting to values and motivation.
* Having high levels of confidence.
* Maintaining a strong identity.

Question 22

connection to family & kinship

Answer 22

Connection to the immediate and wider family group and community
* Spending time within family groups promotes a feeling of connection and therefore wellbeing.
* Caring for the ill is the responsibility of all, not simply one’s biological parents or children.

Question 23

connection to community

Answer 23

Connection to wider social systems, providing individuals and families the ability to connect with and support each other
* Community services and support networks.
* The ability to maintain community connections plays an integral role in maintaining the wellbeing of individuals

Question 24

connection to culture

Answer 24

strong sense of identity, values, tradition, and connection between the past, present, and future that drives behaviour and beliefs
* Elders passing on information and tradition to future generations.
* Speaking local languages.
* Attending cultural events.
* Participating in traditional rites and rituals, which enable children to learn about their culture’s value systems

Question 25

connection to country

Answer 25

traditional lands of a particular language or cultural group, both geographically and the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual connections to and within it
* Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander beliefs are tied heavily to the land and how one lives on it
* Each person belongs to certain territories within family and clan groups, and by extension has spiritual connections and obligations to the associated land

Question 26

connection to spirituality

Answer 26

Spirituality refers to a concept that connects all things, and shapes beliefs, values, and behaviour
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
* spirituality is grounded in the belief that their ancestors watch over them for the entirety of their life. There is a strong belief that ancestors will offer guidance when needed and answer questions in unique ways when least expected. This creates a sense of purpose and wellbeing

Question 27

social determinants of wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Answer 27

The circumstances in which people grow, live, and work, and the
systems put in place to deal with illness
* Socioeconomic status (level of wealth)
* The impact of poverty
* Unemployment
* Racial discrimination

Question 28

historical determinants of wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Answer 28

The ongoing influence of events, policies, and trauma on groups of people
* The impact of past government policies
* Colonisation and its legacy

Question 29

political determinants of wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Answer 29

political policies that shape the process of distributing resources and power to individuals and communities, and create or reinforce social and health inequalities
* Unresolved issues of land
* Control of local resources
* The rights of self-determination and sovereignty