AOS2

• What does mental wellbeing refer to?

  An individual’s psychological state, including their ability to think, process information and regulate emotions.
• What is the purpose of the Mental Wellbeing Continuum?

  It is a tool used to track fluctuating mental wellbeing, ranging from mentally healthy to mental health problem to mental disorder.
• What does it mean to be mentally healthy?

  the state of not having difficulty with everyday activities and displaying resilience.
• How is a mental health problem defined?

  A mental health problem is a relatively short term disruption that impacts a person’s everyday functioning.
• mental disorder

  A condition that affects mood, thinking, and behaviour, and is typically long lasting.
• What are levels of functioning?

  Levels of functioning refer to the extent to which an individual can independently and effectively complete everyday tasks.
• Social and emotional wellbeing

  Social wellbeing relates to the ability for an individual to form and maintain meaningful bonds with others, and adapt to different social situations, and emotional wellbeing is the ability to feel a range of emotions and appropriately control and express them in an adaptive way, as well as understand the emotions of others
• What is resilience to life stressors?

  It is the ability to psychologically ‘bounce back’ from adversity and cope with and manage change and uncertainty
• What are the characteristics of a mentally healthy person?

  • High levels of functioning
  • Form positive relationships with others
  • Manage feelings and emotions
  • Cope with and manage change and uncertainty
• What are the characteristics of someone with a mental health problem?

  • Increased/decreased sleep and appetite
  • Loss of energy and motivation
  • Difficulty concentrating/focusing and completing work or study tasks
• What are the characteristics of someone with 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
• What are the 3 D's in mental health?

  1. Distress
  2. Dysfunction
  3. Deviance
• Distress

  A negative psychological experience of stress, involving unpleasant or upsetting emotions such as sadness, anxiety or feeling overwhelmed
• Dysfunction

  The impact the condition has on an individual’s ability to complete daily tasks and cope with everyday life, such as attending work or school and participating in social events
• Deviance

  Thoughts and behaviours that are inconsistent with an individual’s culture or society, such as socially withdrawing or lashing out at others
• How do mental health problems differ from mental disorders?

  Mental disorders are typically longer lasting and more severe than mental health problems, impacting daily functioning more significantly.
• What is the SEWB framework?

  • A multidimensional and holistic model that includes all elements of wellbeing for ATSI people
• Multidimensional

  • Made up of different components/dimensions.
• What does 'holistic' mean in the SEWB framework?

  • Considers the whole person, including mental, physical, spiritual, and social needs.
• What are the dimensions included in the SEWB framework?

  • Body
  • Mind & emotions
  • Family & kinship
  • Country
  • Community
  • Culture
  • Spirituality & ancestors
• Connection to Body

  connecting to the physical body and health in order to participate fully in all aspects of life.
• Connection to Mind and Emotions

  the ability to effectively manage thoughts and feelings.
• Connection to Family and Kinship

  connection to the immediate and wider family group and community.
• Connection to Country

  Traditional lands of a particular language or cultural group, including both geographical boundaries and the spiritual, emotional and intellectual connections to and within it
• Connection to Community

  It involves connection to wider social systems, providing individuals and families with the ability to connect with and support one another
• Connection to Culture

  a strong sense of identity, values, tradition, and connection between the past, present, and future that drives behaviour and beliefs
• Connection to Spirituality and Ancestors

  Spirituality is a concept that connects all things and shapes beliefs, values and behaviour, guiding knowledge systems, culture and all that is life for Aboriginal peoples, including connections to the ancestors, the past, present and future. Ancestors is 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
• What are the determinants of wellbeing?

  • Historical: Ongoing influence of events and trauma.
  • Political: Policies shaping resource distribution and social inequalities.
  • Social: Circumstances in which people grow, live, and work.
• Why is the SEWB framework useful?

  It acknowledges that mental health issues are still entwined with the past traumas and injustices resulting from colonisation. It demonstrates that there is an interactive relationship between SEWB and mental health. It also considers mental wellbeing from a holistic and multidimensional perspective, meaning it is made up of different components and considers the whole person, including their mental physical, spiritual and social needs
• internal factors

  • factors arising from within the individual
• external factors

  • factors arising from outside the individual
• Stress

  Stress is a psychological and physiological experience that occurs when an individual encounters a stressor exceeding their ability to cope.
• Anxiety

  Anxiety is a psychological and physiological response involving feelings of worry and apprehension about a perceived threat.
• Adequate sleep

  Vital as a restorative process to prepare the body for daily challenges, and those who get enough sleep are less likely to be irritable or ill, making them better equipped to handle stressors.
• Adequate nutritional intake and hydration

  Ensures you are consuming the appropriate nutrients to allow your body to carry out all the processes required to maintain high levels of physical and mental wellbeing, and adapt to and overcome stressors
• Cognitive behavioural strategies

  Focus on the ways in which people think, which often influence behaviour, and replacing unhealthy thinking patterns with more helpful ways of thinking, which can influence behaviour and mood, equipping people with strategies to manage challenging situations.
• What is mindfulness meditation?

  The practice of observing the present moment, suspending judgements, and focusing on something calm and peaceful
• Supportive family, friends, and community

  Having a supportive network can assist an individual to overcome challenges without feeling overwhelmed, which may help to prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of disorders and maintain resilience
• Culture is a way of life that is shared and learned.
• Why is culture important for wellbeing?

  It provides a sense of belonging and self-identity, so it is important that it be passed down into the future in the same form it was experienced so that it can persevere