Wellbeing approach

Wellbeing can be defined in different ways, but generally refers to the state of feeling content, healthy, and having balance across various areas of life.  Health and Wellbeing Queensland supports programs that are improving health and wellbeing for Queenslanders across the state.

What is wellbeing?

Wellbeing encompasses multiple aspects of life, including physical, mental, emotional, and social health. Wellbeing is not just the absence of illness, but also the presence of positive factors like life satisfaction, resilience, meaningful relationships, and the ability to cope with stress.

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Why is wellbeing important?

Apart from making us feel good, wellbeing is important for long-term health. 

For example, people who focus on their wellbeing are more likely to engage in health-promoting behaviours that can help reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases.

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Regular physical activity
Healthy eating habits
Healthy sleeping habits
Avoiding smoking
Limiting alcohol consumption
Maintaining a healthy weight

Mental health and wellbeing

How to get help

Our mental health is connected to various aspects of wellbeing, including physical, emotional, social, cultural, and environmental factors. Wellbeing supports good mental health outcomes by promoting positive health behaviours and physical health, and enhancing relationships. It also promotes community engagement, and improves workforce participation, job performance and organisational productivity.

Thriving Lives, Connected Communities was developed by Health and Wellbeing Queensland in partnership with the Queensland Mental Health Commission and highlights evidence-based areas for action to improve mental health and wellbeing. These areas were informed by consultation with non-government agencies, peak bodies, and community organisations, including people with lived-living experience.

Protective and risk factors

There are a number of protective and risk factors to consider for mental health and wellbeing. Understanding these protective and risk factors can help people to take action to improve mental health outcomes at an individual, community and population level.

Protective factors Risk factors
Social
  • Economic security
  • Stable and affordable housing
  • Support for inclusion and diversity
  • Access to support services
  • Access to transport
  • Stigma, discrimination and racism
  • Financial insecurity
  • Impacts of climate change
  • Pollution and environmental degradation
  • Lack of access to support services
  • Health emergencies
Life events
  • Support available at critical times
  • Extreme weather and natural disasters
  • Forced migration
  • Experience of trauma
  • Unemployment
  • Homelessness
  • Grief and loss
  • Stressful life events
  • Interaction with the justice system
Community
  • Safety
  • Positive school environment
  • Community infrastructure
  • Psychosocial safety in the workplace
  • Social connection and belonging
  • Connection to culture and land
  • Poor school environment
  • Poor work environment
  • Psychosocial hazards in the workplace
  • Racism and discrimination
  • Bullying
  • Lack of trust
  • Social isolation and social exclusion
Relational
  • Secure attachment with significant carers
  • Social support
  • Child abuse and neglect
  • Intimate partner violence and family violence
  • Bullying and cyberbullying
  • Loneliness
  • Being a carer
Individual
  • Mental health literacy
  • Regular physical activity
  • Diet that meets nutritional and social needs
  • Limited screen time
  • Good sleep quality
  • Improving brain health
  • Sense of purpose
  • Financial security
  • Poor physical health
  • Limited mental health knowledge
  • Physical inactivity
  • Low quality diet
  • Poor sleep quality
  • Excess screen time
  • Smoking and vaping
  • Problematic alcohol and/or drug use
  • Job stress and burn out
  • Debt and financial stress

What we do

Innovative models of care

Health and Wellbeing Queensland supports a range of programs which empower Queenslanders to live healthier lives by increasing capability, opportunity and motivation. 

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Wellness My Way

Visit our Wellness my Way site to learn more about how this community based initiative is strengthening residents’ access to preventive care.

My health for life

Visit our My health for life to learn more about how this healthy lifestyle program can help you to adopt and maintain healthy behaviours.

Sources

  1. World Health Organization. World mental health report: transforming mental health for all 2022. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240049338