MENTAL WELLNESS AND WELLBEING MATTERS
YOUR LIFE IS IRREPLACEABLE. YOUR MENTAL WELLNESS IS IMPORTANT.
Global health awareness focuses on improving health for all people worldwide by promoting wellness and preventing disease, disability, and death. This involves addressing health disparities, ensuring access to essential health services, and tackling social determinants of health. Initiatives like the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) and various health observances, such as World TB Day and World Hepatitis Day, play a crucial role in raising awareness and driving positive change.
The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.
Key aspects of global health awareness:
Promoting wellness:
This includes encouraging healthy behaviors, addressing mental health, and fostering environments that support well-being.
Disease prevention:
Focusing on measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, like COVID-19, and chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Access to healthcare:
Ensuring that everyone, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status, has access to essential health services.
Addressing social determinants:
Recognizing that factors like poverty, education, and access to clean water and sanitation significantly impact health.
Global collaboration:
Highlighting the importance of international cooperation to tackle global health challenges and achieve health equity.
Wellness economy:
The wellness industry plays a significant role in promoting health through various products and services, including mental wellness, physical activity, and workplace wellness.
Organizations and Initiatives:
Global Wellness Institute (GWI):
A leading research and educational resource for the global wellness industry, introducing major industry initiatives and regional events according to the Global Wellness Institute.
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Observes various global health awareness days and campaigns, such as World TB Day and World Hepatitis Day according to the CDC.
Focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages as part of the Sustainable Development Goals according to the United Nations.
World Health Organization (WHO):
A specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.
By raising awareness and promoting action, global health initiatives strive to create a healthier and more equitable world for all an ally is to...
Take on the struggle as your own.
Transfer the benefits of your privilege to those who lack it.
Amplify voices of the oppressed before your own.
Acknowledge that even though you feel pain, the conversation is not about you.
Stand up, even when you feel scared
Mental Health Allies (or Wellbeing Allies) are employees who or volunteers to be trained to support others with their mental health. They learn about the fundamentals of mental health wellbeing.
There are two important aspects to this definition. First, wellness is not a passive or static state but rather an “active pursuit” that is associated with intentions, choices and actions as we work toward an optimal state of health and wellbeing. Second, wellness is linked to holistic health—that is, it extends beyond physical health and incorporates many different dimensions that should work in harmony.
Wellness is an individual pursuit—we have self-responsibility for our own choices, behaviors and lifestyles—but it is also significantly influenced by the physical, social and cultural environments in which we live.
Wellness is often confused with terms such as health, wellbeing and happiness. While there are common elements among them, wellness is distinguished by not referring to a static state of being (i.e., being happy, in good health, or a state of wellbeing). Rather, wellness is associated with an active process of being aware and making choices that lead toward an outcome of optimal holistic health and wellbeing.
Wellness Is Multidimensional
Wellness is about more than just physical health. Most models of wellness include at least six dimensions (and sometimes up to 9 or 12):
Physical: Nourishing a healthy body through exercise, nutrition, sleep, etc.
Mental: Engaging the world through learning, problem-solving, creativity, etc.
Emotional: Being aware of, accepting and expressing our feelings, and understanding the feelings of others.
Spiritual: Searching for meaning and higher purpose in human existence.
Social: Connecting and engaging with others and our communities in meaningful ways.
Environmental: Fostering positive interrelationships between planetary health and human actions, choices and wellbeing.
The Wellness Continuum
One way to understand wellness is to consider health as a continuum that extends from illness to a state of optimal wellbeing.* On one end, patients with poor health engage the medical paradigm to treat illnesses; they interact reactively and episodically with doctors and clinicians who provide care. On the opposite end, people focus proactively on prevention and maximizing their vitality. They adopt attitudes and lifestyles that prevent disease, improve health, and enhance their quality of life and sense of wellbeing. In other words, wellness is proactive, preventive and driven by self-responsibility. The growth of wellness is the extension of this consumer value and worldview.
Wellness is different from healthcare. Our healthcare systems use a pathogenic and reactive approach, focused on causes, consequences, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries. In contrast, wellness is a salutogenic and proactive approach, focused on prevention, healthy lifestyles and the pursuit of optimal wellbeing. Ultimately, a solid foundation for wellness helps us prevent and overcome disease, both at present and in the future.
Source: https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/what-is-wellness/#:~:text=There%20are%20two,in%20the%20future.
Prolonged psychological stress is the enemy of our mental health, and physical movement is our best weapon to respond.​ Leon Taylor is a former competitive diver who competed for TeamGB at three Olympic Games. Following retirement, he transitioned to the commentary booth where he works for the BBC. Leon has a passion for performance, wellness and movement spending much of his time now as a speaker, executive coach, and mentor to the next generation of sports stars. His enthusiasm and skill for mentoring have allowed him to work with a range of athletes across Olympic and Paralympic sports. Most recently playing the role of Athlete services lead at the pre-Games Camp in Brazil prior to TeamGB'srecord-breakingg 2nd place on the medal table. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
BIPOC MENTAL HEALTH NATIONAL MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH.
Systemic Racism and Discrimination:
BIPOC individuals often experience racism and discrimination in various aspects of their lives, including healthcare, which can negatively impact their mental Examples of systemic racism
Racial disparities in the criminal justice system: Black Americans are incarcerated at a significantly higher rate than White Americans, even when accounting for similar offense types.
Inequitable access to resources in education: Schools in predominantly Black and Latino communities often receive less funding than those in White and affluent areas, leading to disparities in resources and educational opportunities.
Disproportionate disciplinary actions in schools: Black students are more likely to be suspended or expelled than their White peers, potentially contributing to the school-to-prison pipeline.
Housing discrimination: Discriminatory practices like redlining have created segregated neighborhoods and continue to hinder wealth building and access to opportunities for people of color, particularly Black Americans.
Racial disparities in healthcare: Black Americans experience higher rates of illness and death across various health conditions, due to social and structural barriers in accessing quality healthcare.
Environmental injustice: Communities of color are disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards, such as polluting industries and waste disposal sites, leading to adverse health effects.
Unequal access to employment opportunities: Individuals from marginalized racial and ethnic groups, especially Black and Latino people, are underrepresented in high-paying jobs and leadership positions, facing systemic barriers to career advancement.
The racial wealth gap: White households possess significantly more wealth than Black and Hispanic households, reflecting the cumulative effects of historical and ongoing discrimination.
Racial profiling and policing: People of color, especially Black men, are more likely to be stopped and searched by law enforcement, and Black victims are more likely to be unarmed when killed by police, according to reports.
Addressing systemic racism
Solutions to dismantle systemic racism require multifaceted approaches focused on policy changes, equitable resource allocation, and fostering inclusivity. Examples include enforcing anti-discrimination laws, implementing new legislation to address voter suppression, promoting affirmative action and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and providing reparations to address the historical and ongoing harms of racism. Education, advocacy, and community engagement are also crucial in raising awareness, challenging discriminatory attitudes, and building a more just society.
Generational trauma passed down through families and communities can also contribute to mental health challenges.
Some BIPOC communities may have cultural beliefs or stigma surrounding mental illness, which can prevent individuals from seeking help.
Understanding Cultural Stigma:
Socially Constructed:
Cultural stigma is not inherent but rather a product of social and cultural norms, beliefs, and values.
Impact on Individuals:
It can lead to feelings of shame, isolation, and discrimination, affecting self-esteem, mental health, and access to resources.
Influence on Help-Seeking:
Cultural stigma can deter individuals from seeking mental health treatment or disclosing their struggles due to fear of judgment or negative consequences.
Examples:
Examples include the stigma surrounding mental illness, substance use disorders, and certain cultural or ethnic groups.
Intergenerational Effects:
Stigma can be passed down through generations, perpetuating negative beliefs and attitudes.
Key Aspects of Cultural Stigma:
Public Stigma: Societal attitudes and beliefs about a stigmatized group.
Self-Stigma: Individuals internalizing negative beliefs about themselves, leading to shame and low self-esteem.
Affiliate Stigma: Stigma experienced by individuals connected to someone who is stigmatized.
Structural Stigma: Societal systems and policies that create barriers for stigmatized groups.
Addressing Cultural Stigma:
Education and Awareness:
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Providing accurate information about stigmatized conditions and challenging negative stereotypes.
Promoting Empathy and Understanding:
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Encouraging individuals to see the humanity in others and challenge their own biases.
Supporting Inclusive Policies and Practices:
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Advocating for policies that promote equality and access for all individuals, regardless of their background or condition.
Community Engagement:
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Building supportive communities where individuals feel safe to disclose their struggles and seek help.
Language Sensitivity:
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Using respectful and inclusive language when discussing stigmatized conditions.
Challenging Stereotypes:
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Actively working to dispel harmful stereotypes and promote accurate representations of individuals and groups.
Lack of Culturally Competent Care:
There is a shortage of culturally competent mental health professionals who understand the unique needs and experiences of BIPOC individuals.
To be an ally is to...
Take on the struggle as your own.
Transfer the benefits of your privilege to those who lack it.
Amplify voices of the oppressed before your own.
Acknowledge that even though you feel pain, the conversation is not about you.
Stand up, even when you feel scared
Mental Health Allies (or Wellbeing Allies) are employees who or volunteers to be trained to support others with their mental health. They learn about the fundamentals of mental health – what it is and what it isn't. They learn how to listen without judgement and how to point people to the correct services and resources
Every mental disorder explained….
