Wellbeing

“MENTAL WELLBEING IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF PANDEMIC, NATURAL DISASTER & ECONOMIC RECOVERY ”
"The Government believes that wellbeing belongs at the heart of policymaking"
2019 Budget Statement
Government has signalled the centrality of wellbeing to its social and economic policies and to this country's recovery from the impact of COVID-19. The challenge is how do we move beyond wellbeing being just another 'buzz' word to a dynamic process that underpins the ability for individuals, whānau and communities to thrive and to be an instrument that addresses inequities for systemic transformational change. Well individuals contribute to well whānau, schools and workplaces, communities, economies and society. By being informed by the social, cultural and environmental determinants of wellbeing, agencies such as local government, social services, schools, churches and workplaces that adopt a wellbeing framework, are able to identify how best they can be "agents of wellbeing" and which strategies to implement to achieve long term and sustainable wellbeing outcomes. “Tangata aka ana I te kāenga, te tūranga ki te marae, tau ana.”​ “A person nurtured in the community contributes strongly to society.”
Whāia te mātauranga hei oranga mō koutou - Seek after learning for the sake of your wellbeing
Drawing on over thirty years of working in mental wellbeing, learnings from designing, implementing and evaluating mental wellbeing programmes including the pitfalls and solutions to common problems that arise will be shared. "Mental wellbeing is deeply connected to wider wellbeing in our society. We need to embed this understanding in everything we do – within our mental health and addiction system, our wider health and social system, and at every level of society."He Ara Oranga – Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry

Action for Wellbeing: A Masterclass on the theory & practice of promoting mental wellbeing

This two day Masterclass incorporates the Our Wellbeing is Our Wealth: Putting wellbeing at the heart of what we do orkshop on Day 1. Day two focuses on collective impact for transformational change theory, programme design, programme logic & outcome frameworks and audit tools. It will be argued that many "wellbeing" initiatives are lacking in evidence-based theory and principles; are more remedial than transformational; focus too much on individual behaviour change rather than applying a population health lens; and fail to address structural and systemic factors that negatively impact on individual and collective wellbeing. These failures often results in programmes that have minimal impact, where the achievement of long term wellbeing outcomes is difficult to achieve and may in fact contribute to increased disparities in wellbeing equity. Using the latest research and evidence of efficacy, emphasis will be on participants being able to apply the theory to the practical application in their work context as well as being able to critique and assess the efficacy of different approaches to promoting mental wellbeing. Evaluations of numerous national and local wellbeing initiatives have consistently identified that the successful implementation of wellbeing initiatives the have a requires leadership committed to the wellbeing kaupapa and a skilled workforce that is knowledgeable of and competent in the application of mental wellbeing theory and principles. It is with these outcomes in mind that this Masterclass was designed. This Masterclass provides a comprehensive overview of the theory and the practice of promoting mental wellbeing in communities and different settings, e.g workplaces and schools. The fundamental theory, principles and evidence-based best practice in promoting mental wellbeing will inform the workshop content and process.
On Day 2, participants will have the opportunity to identify a set of wellbeing outcomes and apply them to a wellbeing programme logic. A proven model of collaborative partnerships using the principles of collective impact and transformational change which has been applied in numerous settings and populations will also be examined. An overview of the Mental Wellbeing Impact Assessment Tool which provides a systematic approach to assessing the impact of policy, workplace demands, service and programme delivery on people's wellbeing will be given.
The Masterclass does not offer a ready made mental health package approach but rather helps participants to:
  • understand the underlying theory, principles and best practice in promoting mental wellbeing,
  • critically assess appropriateness and applicability of mental wellbeing programmes or approaches for target audiences
  • develop appropriate mental wellbeing outcomes for the target audiences
  • develop a programme logic to guide the planning, implementation and evaluation of the programme
  • apply a risk assessment process to the programme activities or overall programme impact
  • understand how the Mental Wellbeing Impact Assessment Tool can assist them in orienting policies and programmes to a wellbeing approach.

Workshop Programme

Day 1: Our Wellbeing is Our Wealth Workshop
  • Theoretical foundations of mental wellbeing
  • Creating a pedagogy of wellbeing
  • Different outcomes for different purposes – the difference between welfare, wellness and wellbeing approaches
  • Ecological model of wellbeing - the role of place and environment
  • Social and cultural determinants of wellbeing
  • Wairua - the spiritual dimension of wellbeing
  • Not the same thing - the difference between a mental illness and a mental wellbeing approach
  • Well settings facilitating thriving individuals - applying a population focus
  • The 'new normal" - the role of coping, adjusting and adapting in mental wellbeing
  • The emerging social pandemic – loneliness and social isolation
  • The Wheel of Wellbeing (WOW) model
  • Agents of Wellbeing
Day 2
  • Well settings facilitating thriving individuals - applying a population focus
  • Collaborative partnerships for wellbeing - collective impact for transformational change
  • Mental wellbeing indicators and outcomes - developing a programme logic
  • Mental wellbeing programme design, implementation and evaluation
  • Overview of Mental Wellbeing Impact Assessment Tool
Post Workshop Consult
Registration includes a 90 minute post-Masterclass consult with Barry via Zoom on the participant's wellbeing initiative that they are working on.

OUR WELLBEING IS OUR WEALTH: Putting wellbeing at the heart of what we do

Become more familiar with wellbeing principles and take the opportunity to look at how to orient services and programmes to a wellbeing approach
There are several internationally recognised wellbeing models and frameworks as well as local models such as Whare Tapa Whā.
This workshop is day 1 of Action for Wellbeing: A Masterclass on the theory & practice of promoting mental wellbeing. Participants can attend this workshop as a stand-alone workshop. The workshop will provide participants with an overview of:
  • what is meant by wellbeing
  • the principles of wellbeing and how they can inform and shape social policy and service delivery
  • how a wellbeing focus contributes to reducing social and economic disparities.
As a workshop activity, participants will work on identifying key wellbeing outcomes for a workplace or community. Topics covered in the workshop:
  • Theoretical foundations of mental wellbeing
  • Creating a pedagogy of wellbeing
  • Different outcomes for different purposes – the difference between welfare, wellness and wellbeing approaches
  • Ecological model of wellbeing - the role of place and environment
  • Social and cultural determinants of wellbeing
  • Wairua - the spiritual dimension of wellbeing
  • Not the same thing - the difference between a mental illness and a mental wellbeing approach
  • Well settings facilitating thriving individuals - applying a population focus
  • The 'new normal" - the role of coping, adjusting and adapting in mental wellbeing
  • The emerging social pandemic – loneliness and social isolation
  • The Wheel of Wellbeing (WOW) model
  • Agents of Wellbeing

What others have said about the workshops

“Barry’s ability to translate research findings into everyday language means I have a much clearer understanding of the principles of wellbeing and how to apply it to my work”
community worker
“I now have a better understanding of the role of local government in promoting wellbeing and useful strategies on how to apply mental wellbeing outcomes to our Community Plan”
COUNCIL POLICY MANAGER
"So glad I came. Going away with heaps of knowledge and know how to apply in our workplace wellbeing plan. Fantastic opportunity to learn from someone so experienced and knowledgeable"
Health, Safety & Wellbeing Advisor
“Barry’s understanding of various cultural models of wellbeing meant I felt included and my culture respected”
PACIFIC ISLAND COMMUNITY LEADER
"Really appreciated the sociological analysis and your understanding of the impact of inequality, marginalisation and discrimination on people’s wellbeing"
SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE
"Your passion for mental wellbeing made this a thoroughly stimulating workshop”
HEALTH PROMOTER
"An holistic approach to wellbeing which included the spiritual dimension"
CHURCH MINISTER

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