EDUCATION FOR SD AS A CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE Josipa Mihić, PhD. University of Zagreb, Croatia

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SD MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION SEL AS A CONTRIBUTION TO MENTAL HEALTH AND POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Environmental health addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors impacting behaviours. It encompasses the assessment and control of those environmental factors that can potentially affect health. It is targeted towards preventing disease and creating health-supportive environments. (WHO)

There is an inter-relationship between people and their natural environment. (Wilson,1984) In our urbanized societies, the natural environment appears to have little to do with our daily lives, but it remains vital to our health. Natural environments that are functional and accessible serve as a positive determinant of human health. (WHO, 2005)

The 2002 World Summit made explicit links between: SD THE ENVIRONMENT HUMAN HEALTH

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights decision in April 2003: ‘Protection of the environment and sustainable development can also contribute to human well-being... The existence of clean air, clean water, a stable climate, thriving wildlife and well managed natural resources determines the extent to which people can enjoy their basic rights to life, health, food…’.

Contact and access to nature can contribute to physical and mental well-being of individuals, and the development of social capital. (Henwood, 2002, Seymour, 2004, Sempic, et al., 2002) The personal health benefits of access can include: - stress reduction, - increased levels of physical activity, - alleviation of the anxiety symptoms, and - reduction of psychosis.

Pretty et al. (2005) assessed the mood of people engaged in active participation in nature using standardized Profile for Moods State test (POMS) and compared this to POMS profiles of people active in gyms. They found that the POMS profile of people actively participating or involved with nature shifted positively. In other words, people felt less depressed and more relaxed.

Clinical psychologists have studied the benefits of viewing nature. Two studies by Ulrich (1981,1984) are well known. In the first he compared hospital patients with views of nature and those with views of other buildings, and found that patients viewing nature recovered from surgery more quickly and required less pain relief. The other study compared the stress levels of car drivers stuck in traffic in attractive natural surroundings with those stuck in traffic in densely built up areas, and found that those who could view nature exhibited lower levels of stress.

MENTAL HEALTH

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease.„ „A state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” (WHO)

Positive MH is crucial in today’s society - it has power to stimulate growth and development and contribute to prosperity, solidarity, social justice and increased quality of life across the world. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study (1996), the burden of mental, emotional and behavioural problems has been seriously underestimated. Predictions suggest that by 2020, the disease burden of MH conditions in the world may increase to almost 15%.

Mental health promotion implies the creation of individual, social and environmental conditions that empower and enable optimal health and development. (Jané-Llopis et al., 2010) In general, mental health promotion is any action taken to maximize mental health and wellbeing among populations and individuals. (Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, 2000)

Mental health promotion interventions aim to enhance individuals’ ability to achieve developmentally appropriate tasks (competence) and a positive sense of self-esteem, mastery, well-being, and social inclusion, and strengthen their ability to cope with adversity. (SAMHSA, 2007a; WHO, 2004; O’Connell, Boat and Warner, 2009) It focuses on improving environments (social, physical and economic) that affect mental health and enhancing the coping capacity of communities as well as individuals. (Wood and Wise, 1997)

SEL AS A CONTRIBUTION TO MH AND POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION DRUG ABUSE AGGRESIVENESS DEPRESSION ANXIETYDELINQUENCY RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR COMMON RISK FACTORS COMMON PROTECTIVE FACTORS SOCIO-EMOTIONAL SKILLS

WELL DEVELOPED SOCIO-EMOTIONAL SKILLS WELL DEVELOPED SOCIO-EMOTIONAL SKILLS MENTAL WELLBEING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT

HOW TO PROMOTE SEL IN SCHOOLS?

science based preschool and school universal prevention program focused on the development and promotion of SE competences authors Greenberg, M., Kusche, C., Domitrovich, Cortes, R. Prevention Research Center, Penn State University, USA model prevention program (SAMHSA) implemented in more than 30 countries wordlwide delivered by classroom or preschool teachers PATHS - Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies

(2) Interpersonal problem solving skills (1) Emotional understanding and self-control (3) Quality relations with peers (4) Self-esteem PATHS - Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies

SD THE ENVIRONMENT HUMAN HEALTH

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