For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found heaps of secrets to I know that the answer was not in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself. Actually the words we use in describing the field of worksite wellness field matter. You do look for to see the words you are using, right? The poser of what words mean plays itself out within a few areas in the field of worksite wellness, not only in the arena of mental health. Basically, it’s vital to be clear about how key words used in the field are defined, since words matter. Do you know an answer to a following question. Can they be used interchangeably? Oftentimes do the terms mental health and mental illness mean similar thing?
Wellness refers to the degree to which one feels positive and enthusiastic about life.
The published models all show that wellness is a multi dimensional concept.
It includes the capacity to manage one’s feelings and related behaviors, including the realistic assessment of one’s autonomy, limitations, and ability to cope effectively with stress. Mental illness refers to conditions that affect cognition, emotion, and behavior. These conditions will include. Generally, illness refers to the presence or absence of disease. However, research shows that mental illness, especially depression, is strongly associated with other diseases. PTSD. Research into mental health has found that it influences physical health and biological functioning. Generally, mental health also covers compassion, control, creativity, love, optimism, resilience. Mental health is positive psychological functioning that emphasizes growth, meaning, and personal capacity. Did you hear of something like this before? Research shows that high positive affect as measured regarding the happiness, joy, contentment, and enthusiasm is linked with lower morbidity, increased longevity, reduced health symptoms, better endocrine system function, better health response, lower inflammatory response and lower blood pressure.
Whenever wellbeing refers to a state of happiness, with generally positive physical and cognitive health.
Wellbeing is also a ‘multidimensional’ concept, like wellness.
Did you know that the dimensions of wellbeing include. Mental illness and mental health are independent dimensions. Researchers have clearly documented that the absence of mental illness does not necessarily indicate the presence of mental health. Recovery from mental illness and substance abuse going to be seen as a bridge between health and illness. Notice that That’s a fact, it’s important for employers to understand that. Actually, mental health and mental illness are rooted in a dynamic and complex biopsychosocial model of disease and health. However, recent studies show that higher levels of wellness and wellbeing are linked with better regulation of biological systems which serves as a protective influence on good physical health. Therefore, just as different levels of health risk stratification require different wellness related programming, different approaches are required for different mental illness ‘sub populations’.
Our definitions for health, wellness and mental health have changed, as our understanding and research results have progressed over time.
The classic example of this being wellness.
Really employee health status management, worksite wellness day isn’t wellness whatsoever. So it’s also important to recognize that in addition to knowing what these terms mean, how these terms are operationalized in the workplace is also critically important, Therefore if not more so. I suspect that as we continue to learn more from research, worksite wellness related definitions will continue to evolve. Anyways, the mind and the body can’t be separated. I specialize in mentoring worksite program coordinators and creating Done With You worksite employee health and well being programs. My unique background qualifies me to provide you the leadership necessary to implement integrated interventions. Therefore, I invite you to let me your personal effective, successful and sustainable program. You can contact me at williammcpeck@gmail.com. Of course dedicated to helping employers and worksite program coordinators create successful, sustainable employee health and wellbeing programs, especially in small employer settings.