Mental Health and Wellness…What Does it Mean?

Posted byDr. Bree E. CookPosted inMental Health and WellnessTags:, , , ,

According to UC Davis (http://shcs.ucdavis.edu/wellness/#.U8QxB_ldWSo), wellness is defined as “Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life.”  They further write ” Wellness is more than being free from illness, it is a dynamic process of change and growth.”   The World Health Organization defines it as “…a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”   With THIS understanding, it becomes very clear why we need to focus on WHOLE health promotion, and not continue to separate physical and mental health.  

In 1976 Dr. Bill Hettler, co-founder of the National Wellness Institute (NWI), identified six demensions of wellness.  They list them as:  occupational, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social and physical.  Since then, environmental has been added.  Dr. Hettler asserts that “Applying a wellness approach can be useful in nearly every human endeavor.”

This holistic wellness model, as created by Dr. Hettler (1976) explains:

• how a person contributes to his or her environment
and community, and how to build better living
spaces and social networks;
• the enrichment of life through work, and its
interconnectedness to living and playing;
• the development of belief systems, values, and
creating a world-view;
• the benefits of regular physical activity, healthy
eating habits, strength and vitality, as well as
personal responsibility, self-care and when to seek
medical attention;
• self-esteem, self-control, and determination as a
sense of direction;
• creative and stimulating mental activities, and
sharing your gifts with others.

COME ON EVERYONE…LET’S MAKE CHANGES.  EVERYONE DESERVES OPTIMAL MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH!!!

 

Commonly misunderstood definitions (Source: DHHS (1999): 

Mental Health The successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adapt to change and to cope with adversity.

Mental Illness The term that refers collectively to all mental disorders, which are health conditions characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some combination thereof) associated with distress and/or impaired functioning.

Mental Health Problems Signs and symptoms of insufficient intensity or duration to meet the criteria for any mental disorder.

 

Published by Dr. Bree E. Cook

Dr. Bree (Davis) Cook began her appointment as Vice President in May 2018. In this role Dr. Cook serves as the College’s Chief Academic Officer and as the Accreditation Liaison Officer. In her most recent position she served as associate dean of POC's School of Cultural & Family Psychology (SCFP). Dr. Cook has also held positions as the academic coordinator, assistant professor and clinical training coordinator in the SCFP. Prior to coming into higher education, Dr. Cook spent over 15 years in leadership and management positions in non-profits, serving as Family Based Services Director, Eden Dual Diagnosis Program Manager & IRB Chair and as a Staff Psychologist at the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Dr. Cook holds a Psy.D. and master degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Multicultural & Community from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, and baccalaureate degree from University of California San Diego. She is also a Certified Family Life educator (CFLE). Dr. Cook has presented over 25 papers, seminars and workshops at a number of professional conferences such as, WASC Academic Resource Conference, Race, Ethnicity and Place Conference, National Association of African American Studies & Affiliates International Conference. She is a member of the Society for Community Research and Action (Division 27 of the American Psychological Association), National Association of African American Studies and the National Council of Family Relations.

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