Mental Health and Wellness Basics: What It Is and Is Not

This is the second session in The Wellness Project: Using the Breath in Stress Management

Mental health looks different for individuals through various stages of life. It generally encompasses mental, emotional, physical and for some, spiritual components. This module will define mental and behavioral health and cover their similarities and differences. We will review the prevalence of mental health diagnoses including, depression, anxiety, substance use disorders by age, race, SES, and will highlight the changes since the COVID-19 pandemic. We will also explore the differences between stress and toxic stress or trauma, boredom and depression, and worry and anxiety.

Additionally, we will explore when professional attention might be useful.

Objectives:

  1. Define mental health and behavioral health.
  2. Identify the changes in prevalence of mental health diagnosis since the COVID-19 pandemic.
  3. Describe the difference between general stress and worry and a clinical diagnosis of anxiety or depression.
  4. Recognize sources of stress and resilience is relation to personal current wellness status

Research: Research information about this session can be found on the following websites:

Target Audience: This program is accessible to all individuals and professionals interested in gaining a deeper insight to mental health wellness for themselves and to support others.