Unit 4 Outcome 2. 8/9/10 Flashcards
Mental Wellbeing
is an individual’s current state of mind, including their ability to think, process information, and regulate emotions.
levels of functioning
levels of functioning refer to the degree to which an individual can complete day-to-day tasks in an independent and effective manner.
Characteristics of High levels of functioning
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.
Characteristics of Low levels of functioning
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.
levels of functioning effect
prevents people from becoming easily overwhelmed and increases an individual’s sense of capability and control in their lives.
Low levels of functioning may lead to a sense of hopelessness, reducing an individual’s self-belief and,
in turn, mental wellbeing.
Resilience
refers to the ability to cope with and manage change and uncertainty.
High levels of resilience characteristics
- seek solutions to problems
- use appropriate coping strategies
- be flexible in changing circumstances
- be optimistic and hopeful.
Low levels of resilience characteristics
- 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.
A high level of resilience is a feature of an overall positive state of mental wellbeing because it can be a result of, or lead to, an individual having:
high self-esteem
* more confidence in carrying out tasks
* increased coping flexibility, which enables them to adjust coping strategies to a range of stressors.
Being resilient does not mean…
Being resilient does not mean that your life is without difficulty or distress, or that you are always happy. Rather, high levels of resilience lead to mental wellbeing as you are able to respond effectively to stressors, overcome them, or adapt to them.
Interestingly, resilience is something that can be taught and developed over time and often results from seeking appropriate social support in times of stress.
Social Wellbenig
involves the ability for an individual to form and maintain meaningful bonds with others, and adapt to different social situations
Emotional Wellbeing
involves 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.
High levels of social wellbeing
have a strong support network
* be able to form and maintain meaningful
relationships
* be able to effectively communicate with others.
A person with low levels of social wellbeing may:
- be isolated or lack support from others
- have difficulty forming and maintaining
meaningful relationships - struggle to effectively communicate with others.
A person with high levels of emotional wellbeing can regulate
- can regulate their own emotions well, expressing positive and negative emotions at suitable times.
- can also display empathy and effectively understand and respond to other people’s emotions.
- still experience negative emotions as they are an inevitable part of life.
High levels of emotional wellbeing
- be aware of their own and others’ current emotional state
- experience a wide range of emotions
- express emotions at appropriate times.
Low levels of emotional wellbeing
- 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
SEWB + multidimensional + holistic
Social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB), which is a holistic and multidimensional framework of social and emotional wellbeing that comprises of elements of being, and therefore wellbeing, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
multidimensional: made up of different components/domains of connection (body, mind and emotions, family and kinship, community, culture, Country, spirituality and ancestors) that are central to wellbeing
holistic: reflects an approach to wellbeing that considers the whole person, including their mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural and social needs.
It is based on a holistic, multidimensional view of health that recognises their connection to Country, culture, spirituality, ancestry, family and community, which are important to their people and impact on their wellbeing.
Connection to body
Connecting to the physical body and health in order to participate fully in all aspects of life.
Eg
* Maintaining a healthy weight.
* Access to good nutrition.
* Managing illness and disability.
Connection to mind and emotions
Ability to effectively manage thoughts and feelings.
* Maintaining self-esteem.
* Connecting to values and motivation.
* Maintaining a strong identity.
Connection to family and kinship
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
Connection to community
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
Connection to Culture
A 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.
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.
* Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander beliefs are tied heavily to the land and how one lives on it. One should and does not take more than one needs so the land continues to thrive.
Connection to Spirituality and Ancestors
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ 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
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.
Social Determinants
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
Historical Determinants
The ongoing influence of events, policies, and trauma on groups of people.
* Colonisation and its legacy
* The impact of past government policies
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
*Unresolved issues of land
* Control of local resources
* The rights of self-determination and sovereignty
Mental Wellbeing Continuum
refers to a tool used to track fluctuating mental wellbeing, ranging from high levels of mental wellbeing to low levels of mental wellbeing.
Mental Wellbeing is a dynamic
As mental wellbeing is a dynamic state, an individual’s placement on the continuum is not fixed and can shift over time. This means that someone with a diagnosed mental health disorder, placed at low levels of mental wellbeing on the continuum, may not always experience distress. If their condition is well managed with adequate support, they may move up the continuum to become categorised as having moderate levels of mental wellbeing.
High levels of mental wellbeing
- able to function independently within their everyday life
- able to cope with every day demands without showing an excessive level of distress and dysfunction
- still may experience stress, sadness, and anger, but have ability to cope with these experiences, regulate emotions, and express them appropriately.
Middle of the continuum
- is not functioning at an optimal level
- experiences a temporary or moderate impact on mental wellbeing
- experiences amplified emotions and high levels of stress
- has difficulty concentrating
- is more likely to experience irrational thought patterns.
causes and impacts of being in the middle of the continuum tend to be less severe and more temporary in nature compared to low levels.
Low levels of Mental Wellbeing
shows high levels of distress
* is unable to independently complete tasks and meet the demands of their environment
* is impacted for an extended period of time (more than two weeks)
* may be diagnosed by a mental health professional and may be treated through psychotherapy or medication.
Internal and External factors
Internal factors are factors that arise from within the individual.
External factors are factors that arise from an individual’s environment.
These factors interact to influence a person’s mental wellbeing in two ways.
*They can contribute to the development or progression of low levels of mental wellbeing.
* They can protect an individual from the development or progression of low levels of wellbeing, instead maintaining high levels of mental wellbeing.
Internal Factors
examples of types
how can this maintain high levels
lead to low levels?
types
* Stress response
* Thought patterns
* Genetic predisposition
maintain high levels
If a person has naturally optimistic thought patterns, they may be more likely to view difficult situations positively and thus protect their mental wellbeing.
low levels?
If a person has a genetic predisposition to a mental health disorder, they may be more likely to develop one, leading to a greater likelihood of having low levels of mental wellbeing.
External Factors
examples of types
how can this maintain high levels
lead to low levels?
types
* Loss of a significant relationship
* Experiencing difficulty within certain environments
* Access to support services, such as medical and psychological treatment
maintain high levels
support systems, like friends, family, or professional support, will help maintain high levels of MW, even in difficult circumstances.
low levels?
loss of a significant relationship can negatively impact mental wellbeing if not adequately addressed, which involves low levels of mental wellbeing.
Stress
a psychological and physiological experience that occurs when an individual encounters something of significance that demands their attention and/or efforts to cope.
Characteristics of stress
- stress is a normal part of life, and is not necessarily a sign of low levels of mental wellbeing.
- distress occurs, however, when an individual does not feel as though they have adequate resources to cope with a stressor, it can lower an individual’s level of mental wellbeing.
- stress is usually in response to a known cause, which differentiates it from anxiety.
anxiety
is a psychological and physiological response that involves feelings of worry and apprehension about a perceived threat.