I'm talking 'wellbeing' -> not just mental illness

I’m not talking just mental illness, or mental health, I’m talking much bigger

I’m talking WELLBEING

Wellbeing requires a truly systemic perspective

Many people think counselling is just for 'mental illness', but this is far from the truth of the matter. My work does not stop there, in fact my work goes further, so much further than that.

As a 'wellbeing specialist' my aim is for clients to live their best life, not just a life free of mental illness. This wellbeing perspective is confirmed by the World Health Organisation as being a crucial element to total health.

The concepts of health and wellbeing can be confusing for people to understand, but they are actually all different.

• Mental health is much more than the absence of mental illness

• Mental health is in-fact an integrated concept encompassing many other facets of life and health, such as taking into account genetic, environmental and socioeconomic factors

• Wellbeing integrates mental health but is infact a larger concept again, and much more systemic in nature than mental health

• Health encompasses a holistic state of mental, physical and social wellbeing, and not limited to absence of mental illness

So when people talk in general about wellbeing, know that is very subjective. Professionals refer to wellbeing as something much more holistic and take into account the whole person in the whole system.

To me high levels of wellbeing is when a person experiences positive emotions, is living a life where they are successfully striving to be mentally and emotionally strong, have the coping mechanisms that are adequate for what life throws at them. And functioning at a level where they have adequate engagement, meaning, satisfaction, and productivity. Supported by meaningful relationships within a positive environment , where they are allowed to cultivate their strengths and abilities to gain a sense of accomplishment and reach their true potential in life and work.

The more one can cultivate these factors - the more they are able to cultivate true ‘wellbeing’.

WELLBEING MINDER - Counsellor Campbelltown

Gracie Potamianakis - Registered Counsellor & Coaching Specialist (Specialist areas: Anxiety & Depression, PTSD, Relationship Counselling, Personal Development, Career & Workplace Issues...more... Stress, Sleep Disorders, Post Natal Depression, Relationship & Family, Parenting, Bullying, Grief & Loss, Anger, Burnout, Academic Performance, Career Development, Executive Coaching.