WELLBEING….Enabling People "To Choose Change"

Utopian as this may sound, human development is basically pointing towards such an end. The recent trends in collective thinking to achieve holistic wellbeing will perhaps prove to be the panacea for all ills beleaguering the world. Often when we see definitions even at the international level, we find there is a bias towards productivity or activity as a sign of wellbeing. However, a closer look will help find that wellbeing is more about being and becoming.

Wellbeing of one person impacts individually and collectively. Let's take Rohil (Name Changed) as an example who is 6 years old boy, diagnosed with Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active. To manage an ADHD child the family needs to be trained more than the child on developing healthy eating habits, participating in daily physical activity based on age, limiting the amount of daily screen time and getting the recommended amount of sleep at night. To do so there has to be cooperation among all the family members, parents and grandparents if they are living in the same house. In this scenario, it is often observed that the stress of the adults in the family has an impact on the wellbeing of the child. Thus, the focus is as much on the wellbeing of all family members as it is on Rohil, for him to thrive.

Wellbeing is desired across a life span - from infancy to old age- from evolving into a unique personality to ageing gracefully. Wellbeing dwells on prevention rather than on treatment, on flourishing rather than on illness and on strengths rather than on weaknesses. This approach enables individuals, communities and organizations to thrive, thereby enhancing quality of life.

Ask Me ( Dr Sangeeta Goswami, Counselling Psychologist)

Q: My child is having problem sitting in one place in school. Does he have ADHD?

One symptom doesn't make a child ADHD. Look out for the following reg flags to identify the child as may be having ADHD

• Short attention span and easily distracted

• Unable to concentrate on tasks

• Unable to listen to or carry out instructions

• Unable to sit still in any surroundings

• Unable to wait their turn

• Has a tendency to act without thinking

Note : Do not label. If in doubt , reach out to mental health professional for support

MIND India Wellness Centre is a comprehensive multi-disciplinary mental health facility creating a space to address every facet of positive living and wellbeing from children to elderly care

187 Maniram Dewan Road, Chandmari , Guwahati 781 003; Assam, India, 0361-2667269, +91 98640 67594, 9101439197, 8876043151, 7002098629

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Email: mindindiacontact@gmail.com; sangeetamind@gmail.com