Ways in which mental wellbeing and mental health

Ways in which mental wellbeing and mental health are understood

What does stigma feel like? • Activity

What is mental capital? • Research the term and write your own definition of the term to tell the group.

The dual axis model • In the past most people assumed that mental health was on a spectrum with illness on one end and wellbeing at the other. • Most people would assume that the majority of the population would be on the wellbeing end of the spectrum with a few unfortunate people at the illness end. The assumption was also made that those people who did have a mental illness were easily recognisable because they behaved strangely or appeared unstable. This assumption is at the heart of much of the stigma that still exists in society. The dual axis model shows that mental illness and wellbeing are not on the same spectrum at all and that many of the assumptions made about mental illness and wellbeing are both inaccurate and unhelpful.

The dual axis model shows that mental illness and wellbeing are not on the same spectrum at all and that many of the assumptions made about mental illness andwellbeing are both inaccurate and unhelpful.

Look at the diagram of the dual axis model. • The horizontal axis represents the presence or absence of mental illness. We could define having a mental illness as having diagnosable symptoms of a mental health problem. • The vertical axis represents mental health and wellbeing. We could define flourishing mental health and wellbeing as being able to take part in meaningful activity, form and keep positive relationships, and have positive self-esteem. • When our mental health is flourishing we feel good about ourselves and our environment. • When looked at in this way mental health looks very different from the original single spectrum (previous slide).

Activity • Where do each of the following individuals fit into the diagram?

From a mental health improvement viewpoint the key learning points from this concept are as follows: • Mental wellbeing is not the same as the presence or absence of mental health problems, although the two are related. • Everyone can improve their mental wellbeing whether they have a mental health problem or not. • Mental health improvement aims to help everyone improve their mental health and wellbeing. • People with serious mental health problems can function well in both work and personal life.