Question

SAMSHA offers eight criteria for mental health and wellness settings. How do the Eight Dimensions of Wellness align with these criteria?

PLEASE CITE!!!!

Answer 1

Wellness is more than remaining free from physical illness and mental disorders. It is living life to fullest with optimal satisfaction that one can achieve. For this it is necessary that individuals live their life where they are both physically and mentally fit and are developing to their optimal, as any imbalance in physical or mental health will effect their quality of life and wellness adversely. For this SAMHSA offers eight criteria, and imbalance in any one of these may negativily impact the wellness of the individuals. The Eight Dimensions or Criteria for mental and physical wellness are:

• Emotional: Having an emotional balance. Expressing one's emotions in right manner, rather than suppressing it or ignoring it. Maintaining positive emotional connections in relationship, and having effective coping techniques during the ups and downs of life are important for the wellness of the individual.
• Environmental: To be mentally and physically well it is important that individuals live in pleasant and safe environment, and also that their environment stimulate them to be satisfied in their life.
• Financial: Money gives sense of security, and also money is needed for fulfilling various needs in one's life. Hence, savings are important and appropriate management of finances are important for an individual's wellness.
• Intellectual: Keeping oneself engaged in expanding one's boundaries of knowledge is important, it not expands the knowledge about the world but it also gives understanding, broadens the perspectives, and thus, ensuring the wellness.
• Occupational: Sense of satisfaction and enjoyment in one's work, enriches it and helps to have an internal motivation and content towards life.
• Physical: Maintaining physical health important for wellness. Having a regular physical exercises, good sleep and healthy food are essential for this.
• Social: Having a good social support plays an important role when one faces a difficulty. A sense of connection and belongingness is important for keep life going in a positive direction and achieve the optimal development. Hence, its necessary to maintain balanced social relationship.
• Spiritual: Spirituality helps to focus on one's inner beliefs and strengths. It helps to have a better relationship with the world around as it give better understanding by broadening one visions and perspectives.

Thus, these Eight Dimensions are essential for maintaining mental and physical health, and have wellness that is to live life to its optimum with optimum joy and self content.

( Taken from the website of SAMHSA)