Truths About Wellbeing Part 3: Wellbeing Doesn't Mean the Absence of Mental Health Issues or Illness

Studies suggest that a person can experience mental health challenges while still achieving a sense of wellbeing (Keyes, 2002). Our perception of wellbeing is subjective and varies from person to person, often based on individual judgments about the quality of our lives (Diener et al., 1999).

Research has demonstrated that wellbeing is not simply the absence of mental illness (Keyes, 2002). Studies suggest that a person can experience mental health challenges while still achieving a sense of wellbeing. Our perception of wellbeing is subjective and varies from person to person, often based on individual judgments about the quality of our lives (Diener et al., 1999). This subjectivity therefore highlights the importance of understanding personal and cultural differences in defining and experiencing wellbeing.

This subjectivity therefore highlights the importance of understanding personal and cultural differences in defining and experiencing wellbeing.

To help us understand, below is a diagram that illustrates the dual continuum of wellbeing (Westerhof & Keyes, 2010). On one end of the X scale, "flourishing," means we are happy, satisfied, have good relationships, and feel purposeful. On the other end, "languishing" means we feel empty, unmotivated, or disconnected. The Y scale simply indicates the presence or absence of a diagnosable mental illness.

Fig. 1 The Dual Continuum of Wellbeing (Westerhof & Keyes, 2010)

This visual representation helps us understand how mental health and mental illness can coexist in different states of wellbeing. The four quadrants show the different combinations:

• Top-left: Flourishing without Mental Illness 

• Top-right: Flourishing with Mental Illness 

• Bottom-left: Languishing without Mental Illness 

• Bottom-right: Languishing with Mental Illness 

This means we might flourish despite having a mental illness, where we can feel good and function well in many areas. Conversely, we could also languish without a mental illness, where we feel poorly despite not having a diagnosable condition.

The goal is to enhance overall wellbeing, to ensure we feel good and cope and function well regardless of mental illness. This holistic approach provides a fuller picture of our mental health and wellbeing.

This means we might flourish despite having a mental illness, where we can feel good and function well in many areas. Conversely, we could also languish without a mental illness, where we feel poorly despite not having a diagnosable condition.

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References

Diener, E. (1984). Subjective well-being. Psychological bulletin, 95(3), 542.

Keyes, C. L. M. (2002). The mental health continuum: From languishing to flourishing in life. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 43(2), 207-222.

Keyes, C. L. M. (2005). Mental illness and/or mental health? Investigating axioms of the complete state model of health. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73(3), 539-548.

Keyes, C. L. M. (2007). Promoting and protecting mental health as flourishing: A complementary strategy for improving national mental health. American Psychologist, 62(2), 95-108.