Students and researchers are at an enormous risk for mental health issues, hence there needs to be a focus on wellness, broadly defined, in university student populations. Importantly, and even before the COVID pandemic, levels of mental discomfort have been rising. The combined prevalence of depression and suicide-related outcomes among university undergraduate students is 21%, which is much higher than the estimated 12.9% point prevalence of depression in the general population. In response, academics have created a five-week wellbeing science module that is organized using the GENIAL paradigm. According to social ecology theory, this module encourages a sense of inter-connectedness with oneself (individual wellbeing), others (collective wellbeing), and nature (planetary wellbeing). The idea of "sustainable" happiness and wellbeing is introduced to students. It has been described in many different, complementary ways. By drawing on theories of behavior change and situating happiness and wellbeing within the context of environmental "sustainability," in which strategies to promote wellbeing do not involve the exploitation of other people, the environment, or future generations, students learn how to "sustain" improvements to wellbeing (Prof. Miller).
Students are urged to think about how they might work to overcome the numerous socio-structural barriers to wellbeing by, for instance, making contributions to society, while also identifying activities that promote their own mental and physical wellbeing (through interventions to increase positive affect and/or positive health through, for example, physical activity); community wellbeing (e.g. orientation to promote good) and planetary wellbeing (e.g. nature-based mindfulness) (i.e. self-transcendence). There is room for improving students' personal wellbeing while also encouraging them to consider how they might contribute to collective and planetary wellbeing and support efforts for positive social change, wellbeing is therefore broadly defined and characterized by a focus on multi-leveled perspectives. During the COVID pandemic, when university students confronted a particular set of stresses, the intervention's effectiveness was assessed. Scientists have recently published encouraging group-wise evidence for the positive benefits of their program on student wellbeing during the COVID-19 epidemic, besides individual student reports of impact. This includes supporting data from pre-post comparisons among subjects and converging conclusions from analyses of comparisons with samples that are nationally representative. Together, these results show how the program has benefited students' wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some elements, including sad optimism, thankfulness, meaning in life, physical health, social cohesiveness, identity, and connection to nature, have been identified by recent study as having safeguarded wellbeing during the pandemic. These themes have all been incorporated into the module.
In keeping with an action research approach to curriculum development, professional development, and a scholarly research objective to improve wellbeing in university student populations, researchers are continuously developing modules based on student feedback and contemporary advancements in the area. Our theoretical model was further developed as a result of this process, which also inspired us to include concepts of how individuals may contribute to beneficial society change (such as through volunteering, advocacy, and psychological boosting). The capacity of the individual to improve their own wellbeing within the context of their lived environment, while also contributing to collective and planetary wellbeing, is highlighted by research findings as well as those published in the larger literature. Although individuals have a relatively small impact on collective and planetary wellbeing, embracing a relational perspective on wellbeing and establishing connections with oneself, others, and nature will be crucial in fostering the much-needed societal transformation in response to pressing societal issues. In addition, top down efforts and methods at various levels of scale, such as community-led change (such as the Transition movement), policy-led change (such as Wellbeing Public Policy), and legislative-led change, will make "bottom up" approaches far more effective (Wellbeing for Future Generations Act) (Dr. Dunn).
Scientists recently discussed a number of factors that have limited the long-term care of people with chronic conditions, including definition issues that focus on complete mental, physical, and social health, a goal that is rarely achievable for people with long-term chronic conditions, and inadequate models of healthcare, such as the "acute medical model," which is supported by a "find" and "fix" deficit reduction approach that is in congruent with a "whole health" Cartesian dualism is frequently present in the definition, administration, and design of healthcare services, which can result in compartmentalized thinking and narratives that actually weaken health-promoting behaviors. In order to inform a more comprehensive approach to the rehabilitation of patients with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), in particular, lab group have incorporated basic elements from GENIAL framework. It was required to close the difference between the health service and the community, this has required creating collaborative relationships with community providers and designing more comprehensive health care models inside clinical services. This is necessary because many people with chronic illnesses find it difficult to access their local communities on their own after discharge, which causes social isolation and loneliness—two important risk factors for ill health and early mortality. A healthcare hub connected to the university and a wide range of neighborhood projects have now been formed by researchers, and they operate better together to enhance sustained community integration and welfare (Dr. Laurence).
Scientists provide a more thorough explanation of one of these programmes by using an example: a Surf-Therapy collaboration between academics, physicians, patients, and the neighborhood Community Interest Company, Surfability. Specifically emphasizing the health advantages of movement while helping patients experience pleasant emotions, a sense of significance in their lives, and a sense of accomplishment are all part of surf therapy on an individual basis. Exercise creates an environment for good social connections and inspires feelings of acceptance and belonging at the communal level (social cohesion). Surf therapy brings people with ABI (and their families) together from different backgrounds, which helps to foster social capital and a strong sense of self. Participants are involved in exercise that is grounded in nature, which facilitates the experience of wellbeing and has been shown to encourage pro-environmental behaviors.