The Wellbeing Revolution; Reclaiming Our Wellbeing

Welcome to the Wellbeing Revolution

Welcome to these reflections that focus on wellbeing, healing and recovery. With new insights we can see things in a new way, and we can make new self-discoveries. By knowing ourselves we can be our own best advocate, a wellbeing warrior.

Through my own personal experience and hearing from others I believe there is a gap in understanding about the mental and emotional health and wellbeing area of our lives, and how these issues are managed within society.

My story includes growing up in the so-called baby boomer period, with parents raised in the post-war era, where an economic depression occurred. At this time mental illness existed in society, and had done previously, but it was still largely a hidden and often shame based illness. There was a general lack of understanding around mental illness and much energy was spent in controlling and hiding the issue, thereby contributing to stigma and shame. The trauma and tragedy of war and its impact on military service men and women may have compounded the issue of mental illness, but without compassionate care many suffered in silence.

So mental health was a silent, shameful and hidden issue then, and we still see the same attitudes and stigma today. Though mental illness is common, it is portrayed as something that happens to other people, of a certain class or background, a symptom of under-privilege, low socio-economic groups, and low educational backgrounds.

It is time to de-construct these problematic social constructions. It is time to address the attitudes and beliefs that perpetuate a lack of empathy, compassion and understanding, and a control-punish-subdue approach.

Mental illness happens. Some of the most creative thinkers and artists, and others across the social spectrum, have had a lived experience of mental illness. Many individuals and leaders have come forward to share their story of mental illness, to address the issue of stigma and to change the story from shame to acceptance.

The vision of this book is to challenge the stigma and shame and to raise awareness of mental health and illness. By reviewing our attitudes towards what can be a varied experience, we can respond to with more justice and compassion.

To be a voice to advocate awareness, empathy and acceptance and to challenge the current and enduring attitudes which continue to lower the person’s autonomy, self-respect and self-worth. To fight for individuals, families, and communities who may be at their most vulnerable, and need the best support around them.

It is time to challenge the current systems and to work towards a renewal of people-friendly resources. This is the time to remove blame and shame, because there is already a history of that, and we want to move forward. In order to change the culture, however, the processes which create harm need to be highlighted so that lives are saved, and new evidence-based models are implemented and maintained in the longer term.

The statistics of mental health reveal a sense of diminished wellbeing, with many families being affected, dealing with mental illness, and a broken faceless system.

We could compare the general lack of response of dealing with social issues like mental health with the current issues of global warming and climate change. We seem to deal with these in ways that reduce them to a slogan, a budget, a statistic.

We label those who raise their voices in concern, and we distance ourselves from these very real issues and having conversations. We know that we have struggled when it comes to talking about ourselves, our feelings, our hopes and dreams, and our inner world.

We stay silent and withhold our story because it is not always safe to share, nor is it easy to be open to hearing the struggles of another, because we feel awkward and uncomfortable.

We avoid emotional disclosure and we prefer superficial topics like politics, work, sport, coffee, travel, movies, television series, education, employment, hospitals and taxes instead. We engage with online apps rather than offline, live social contact.

We can say that every person matters and that no one is a statistic. It is time to move from detachment to engagement, from distancing from the issues and the experience, to being open and inclusive. It is time to have a voice, to start to represent the issues we care about, and to find ways to unite as one voice, and find common ground rather than contribute to a sense of continuous division.

There is division about climate change and global warming, what the causes are, who is responsible and what can be done about the issues. There is much concern about the economic cost of any efforts to tackle climate change. Much is left to the government, and someone else. It is time for all of us to tackle these things together, and not be swayed by taking sides, being divided, and doing nothing.

Climate Change is any significant long-term change in the expected patterns of average weather of a region, or the whole Earth, to the climate over significant periods of time. Ice ages are prominent examples of climate change. It is about abnormal variations, and the effects of these variations on other parts of the Earth.

Global warming examples include ocean acidification caused by increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, and the long-term melting of ice sheets, which contributes to sea level rise. Some large-scale changes could occur abruptly, i.e. over a short time period, and might also be irreversible.

Global warming is projected to have effects on the oceans, including rising sea levels due to thermal expansion, melting of glaciers and ice sheets, and warming of the ocean surface, leading to increased temperature stratification.

We need the social and political will to challenge the status quo, to drive change, and to herald a new era where the natural world, the environment, takes precedent over economic concerns.

As a society of people living in the 21st century, climate change and global warming affects everyone, from north to south, east to west, and we can play our part in reversing the damage caused by past attitudes and progress at any cost. No one is unaffected, by the consequences of past actions, and we need a collective will to contribute to greater equity in communities most affected.

It is time to decide that the environment; including the air, sea, waters, land, flora and fauna, and the future of the planet Earth, has more than a dollar value. We want to harness the best and highest values of our humanity, using the mind, body and heart, to increase knowledge and raise awareness of ways to be proactive, taking initiatives to redress major issues.

We must say that we are an advanced people, and therefore we have the capacity to make change, and to create pathways to change. When we are proactive, we will ensure that our influence matters. We are wellbeing warriors and we unite with others across the planet to harness goodwill to care for the planet.

Likewise, understanding mental health requires more than an injection of funds or research, or the promise of millions in the budget. We need to add in the human value, and cost where there is a lack of understanding and an adverse response or a lack of treatment.

There is a growing movement of people who are doing the inner work in order to change their attitudes and to build values in their lives who are willing to work together to achieve change.

I believe we need to do more as a society to assist people to navigate their times of crisis. We need to build resources that include a holistic and strength-based perspective, rather than just crisis medical intervention. This means to tap into the natural and normal healing mechanisms and traditions that have served to teach and instruct us in the past. We can implement these traditions to serve us during times of adversity and change. We might reclaim the ancient wisdom of respect for the land using food as medicine with plant-based remedies that have worked for many cultures over time.

We can respect and learn from our own First Nations Peoples, and those across the globe, through their stories and culture, in these significant days. These groups have access to the highest knowledge of geographical systems, sustainability, food sources, weed control, land management and community living, and share total respect and care for the natural world.

As I write, research is being conducted in the use of manuka honey to develop an alternative to antibiotics which are no longer able to resist the super bugs. We need to consider the effects of continual use of medicines and chemicals as the first response to illnesses which are becoming increasingly common.

We need to be open and willing to seek sustainable environmental practices, including a respect of and reconnection to the land and environment, which provide our basic human needs, and we need to create a circular movement towards greater social equity and social justice for all.

We can learn from nature to find solutions for our long-term health and wellbeing, and therefore we seek wisdom for sustainable options.

This means that we urgently need to respond to the call for social action around issues like poverty and climate change, because there is much at stake, including the global challenge of growing food without the use of harmful chemicals, and in sustainable ways, and ensuring that all people live with dignity and opportunity.

We can focus on our unique human strengths rather than our weakness and vulnerability. It is important to build wellbeing as an aid to healing and recovery. To achieve this, we need to know our selves, and live in harmony and balance.

This resource aims to be a workbook for life, so that we grow in awareness and resilience to find the support we need and are not alone in our experience. The call is for stronger communities that support individuals and families, and their wellbeing. We need resources that bridge the gap between professional and medical support and that facilitate self-help recovery.

Those currently facing their own crisis of mental or physical health, or any other personal crisis, need resources to maintain wellbeing for life, to enhance and not diminish quality of life. To build wellbeing through care and support, building social and community connections, and allowing the person to be seen, heard and valued.

We can change the story on wellbeing when we address the needs of the whole person within the context of their story, rather than expecting the person to fit within a system.

We can advocate for informed consumers who make wise decisions for themselves to maintain their health outcomes. The current system involves power and authority in the hands of the professionals. We have traffic jams which have created more barriers to access the care needed in a timely manner.

We are seeing new health conditions emerge and we need to keep up with evidence-based research and follow best practice models seen in other countries, as well as to collaborate for mutual benefit. Often the mainstream care pathways see a range of specialist and general services overwhelmed with waiting lists and patient’s unmet expectations. The level of multi-disciplinary care is limited, and I believe the medical services may be simply holding the line as best they can.

What may be the standard treatment this year, may change in the next, or may be found to be harmful. We need to be wary of accepting without question those who carry the title of expert, because what seems to be true is subjective, and there may be underlying vested interests involved. In time, these systems of medical care and expert opinions and advice may be found to be self-serving rather than focused on client wellbeing.

As the doctors take the oath, to do no harm, we, the consumer, the public and the client, also want to do no harm. Nor do we want to receive any harm.

Often a partnership between the holistic and the mainstream medical field working together is missing. It is time for change, so the gap is closed. We need to explore all options for health and wellbeing, and to ensure we make informed decisions about our own health care.

We need to validate holistic treatments by qualified practitioners which have a strong focus on diet, nutrition and lifestyle as well as medicinal and non-medicinal treatment options. We need to move towards a sense of influence for the person seeking treatment, rather than being a number, a problem, or a statistic.

The mainstream medical field is referred to as allopathic which refers broadly to medical practice that is also termed western medicine, evidence-based medicine or modern medicine. A trained allopathic doctor is referred to as a medical doctor or M.D. and may be a specialist in various fields of medicine.

The natural medicine or holistic medical field may be referred to as homeopathic, which was founded in the 19th century. This practice that is based on the concept that disease can be treated with minute doses of drugs thought capable of producing in healthy people the same symptoms as those of the disease being treated. The principle of homeopathy uses amounts of active medication which are so small as to be almost undetectable.

Naturopathy is a system of alternative medicine based on the theory that diseases can be successfully treated or prevented without the use of drugs, by techniques such as control of diet, exercise, and massage. A person trained in the use of naturopathic medicine and treatments is referred to as a Naturopath with the title N.D, for naturopathic doctor.

While I believe that natural medicine practitioners are willing to work alongside allopathic medical services, (as they will refer clients for tests and encourage treatment where needed), I don’t yet see the same goodwill being applied towards their field. In fact, there is a sustained effort to undermine, refute and disrespect the holistic field altogether.

What is needed is more cooperation and respect and less control and profiteering, with more medical students being trained in standard entry level nutrition, mental health and common health conditions.

We need to ensure that people are safe and cared for within a framework of best practice. I believe that we have more consumer influence and power than we realise. We can be a proactive wellbeing warrior, by using our voice, and being informed, we can be an advocate for our own health care and wellbeing.

Truth: The predominance of a crisis response needs to move towards an early intervention and prevention response. We need to review our response to illness and investigate new ways to deal with these issues.

Myth: Allopathic Medicine has all the answers and drugs are the answer to our health problems. Health outcomes should be under the control of the mainstream medical doctor which has been proved by science.

One issue is the one of time. Time is at a premium. Our story may not be heard as we visit the medical professional and they seek a quick response. The average time of a consultation is only a few minutes.

With respect of mainstream medicine, the modern medical clinic is a direct partner of drug companies, alongside the treating doctor, whether they benefit or not. With respect of the client who visits the mainstream doctor, for services and treatments, could be viewed as complicit in the industrialization of health and medicine.

The faceless system provides no satisfactory answers where risk is involved, as multi-layered legal structures absolve guilt, wrong-doing, malpractice, whether intentional or not.

Truth: Everyone has a story and when the story is validated, they have a sense of being heard. Being heard and valued makes the difference between being treated as a number and being treated as a valuable human being.

Health is a long-term process and there is no quick fix in the matter of wellbeing.

Myth: Science is the basis of mainstream medicine, and therefore it is superior. Only one person or one system has all the answers, and difference is not tolerated.

We need a space where we can share our story, be listened to, and the burden shared, even for a moment of time. In this space, the burden or issue may be lifted, and somewhat clarified, leaving us feeling encouraged and hopeful.

The local General Practitioner needs to pause before prescribing medications, so that they can advise on alternative self-help strategies and treatments. The specialist group also needs to set benchmarks to move towards utilizing self-help strategies for health conditions. The patient-client needs to be informed about being proactive about their health, preventing disease, and maintaining their own wellbeing. A toolbox can be used as a daily resource to strengthen their wellbeing and self-management of health issues, and to avoid, prevent and recover from illness.

Is it a crisis or an opportunity?

We all need courage and wisdom to face a personal crisis of any kind and we can emerge and thrive if we have the right tools. We can restore mental health and wellbeing in a holistic way, bringing restoration of mind and body and soul.

I believe that we need insight, courage, and commitment, so we can build resilience. We have the power and potential to write our own story and to learn from our current condition or situation, so that our lives can be our teachers. In fact, our pain and discomfort might be trying to gain our attention, right now, even though we might interpret things as pain, discomfort, stress, pressure, dis-ease, lack of peace, or any variation.

There are individual and collective stories around mental health in our society which need to be heard. Our own personal story is unique, and it is worth sharing as it is powerful for others to hear as well. There is a time and a season for healing and we can rebuild our lives and our future with confidence.

We need to find our voice and advocate for ourselves. Once we’ve found our voice, we can use it for good purposes. Sometimes we need to be a voice for those who don’t have one. There are times where we may feel that we have no voice for a time, and then we slowly heal and find a new and stronger one.

We may silently call out from a dark place. There may be confusion, fear and panic, and a sense of feeling unsafe. The dark place is part of our experience, but it is not the whole of who we are. There is no shame. There is no blame. We can rise out of the dark place. There are answers and they will come in time.

We need to seek to understand mental-emotional health and wellbeing from the perspective of strength and listen to the stories of those with lived experience, and who have grown in their sense of resilience. We can receive medical advice, and we need to use wisdom here. We need a guide to navigate those periods in our lives when our experience of mental health is overwhelming, confusing and scary. We feel isolated and alone. We fear exposing ourselves to others, for fear of their response. So, we face a choice, do we share our inner struggles, or do we go it alone?

As we share with others around us, friends, family and the medical profession we may receive some helpful support from them which helps to navigate this time. At times we may be met with misunderstanding, apathy, criticism, blame, shame, scepticism, doubt, anger, rejection, and ridicule. We need the best care professionally and to be aware that some treatments may diminish our health status.

Achieving mental health and wellbeing is a lifelong process. We could suggest that wellbeing and mental health is part of who we are, individually and as a society.

One of the most empowering ways to build strong wellbeing and mental health is to develop a self-help and self-management approach. We are building resilience, and this means we will have life-long skills to support us through life’s ups and downs.

We can learn about traditional medicine and that plants have been healing people since time began. We can access natural plant substances not synthetic ones. We can aim to draw on universal shared experience as the wellbeing and mental health paradigm. We can journey together to explore and find hidden gems of wisdom and spiritual insight to be applied in daily life and to find an emerging hope for the future.

We can seek a person focussed recovery model, affirming the power of the individual to choose and create their own path of wholeness and healing. We can understand how to build emotional resilience so that we may prevent or lessen the times of crisis. Where we choose medical treatment, we can become a proactive and assertive client. We can build a mutually respectful relationship with our health care team and support system.

As a society and community, we can all work together to create a more accepting and caring community where we welcome and embrace mental health and all its variants.

The vision is based on the universal needs of a sense of identity, belonging and purpose.

Chapter 2

Let’s talk about it

We need to broaden the conversation around our understanding of mental health, wellbeing and mental illness and review how our lives are impacted.

It is time to raise the bar to challenge the current status quo. We can review where mental health and mental illness cross over, and where we can be proactive and prevent mental illness, and at least, minimise risk.

We can look at where and how we can grow in our understanding about treatments which are provided, so that we can bring about fundamental change in the way we approach these issues.

There are many questions and many perspectives so let’s take the time and consider how well we are going as a society to find people-centred solutions, while addressing real risk factors.

Take a moment to reflect on the current state of mental health and wellbeing in our families, communities and society at large.

What is mental health and why don’t we want to talk about it?

Why is It with us and growing, who has It, and why some and not others?

How can we live with It, will we ever live without It? What does our society contribute to It, who or what is responsible for It?

Can It be caught by our genes? Where do we go when we have It? What can be done about It, what