Good Guidance
with Karyn Baxter, Jenny Morris,
& Silke Hetherington.
FROM THE GUIDANCE OFFICE
Adolescent Well Being (taken from reachout.com)
Whether it is us here at school or our amazing carers and families at home, we think we all agree that we all care about teen mental health and ways to improve it. We know that helping teenagers develop their mental wellbeing, they will have every opportunity to get the most out of their teenage years.
We are hoping this information from https://parents.au.reachout.com/skills-to-build/wellbeing/wellbeing-and-teenagers will be helpful if:
- you want to learn about mental wellbeing
- you want to understand the importance of teen wellbeing
- you would like to know how to improve your child’s wellbeing.
What is Wellbeing?
The World Health Organisation defines mental wellbeing as ‘a state in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.’ It reflects a state in which someone is healthy, happy and prosperous. A strong sense of wellbeing helps us to feel good about ourselves and the way our lives are going, and can have a hugely positive impact on teen mental health.
Why is Wellbeing Important?
Wellbeing is important since it allows us to feel emotions like happiness, contentment, curiosity, satisfaction – all of which help us function well in the world and lead our lives to their fullest. Wellbeing also plays a role in supporting our mental health, by giving us a greater ability to manage our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. This helps us to maintain good relationships, set and achieve goals, and find meaning and purpose in our endeavours.
The interesting thing about wellbeing is that it can have an upward spiral effect. If you do something that increases your wellbeing, it’s likely to make you feel good, which is turn will help give you the motivation to do something else that to improve your wellbeing and make you feel good.
What Effect Does Wellbeing Have On Teenagers?
High levels of wellbeing in teenagers can help them flourish in life, as well as act as a protective factor against some of the challenges that may arise during the teenage years. Teenagers with strong mental wellbeing are able to:
- manage their emotions
- enjoy positive relationships with friends an family
- apply themselves at school
- participate in activities that interest them
- have optimism about the future.
Five Ways to Wellbeing
A simple framework to increase wellbeing is the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, developed by the New Economics Foundation in the UK. The framework outlines 5 strategies that have been proven to have a positive effect on mental wellbeing. These strategies are:
- connect
- be active
- take notice
- keep learning
- give.