Individual and community wellbeing
Increasing wellbeing through mindfulness, creativity and fun
Our community wellness project aims to enable and empower diverse communities across Aotearoa to increase their wellbeing through mindfulness practice. We will facilitate workshops using an evidence-based positive psychology collaborative methodology. The project kaupapa is to explore the connection between art and wellbeing.
These workshops will allow participants to connect to each other as they practise and build wellbeing using the PERMA model developed by Dr. Seligman (see his video clip here). The PERMA model of wellbeing is an acronym for Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Achievement.
The PERMA model of wellbeing outlines five key measurable and evidence based pillars for flourishing. Specifically, the PERMA model supports participants to develop:
- Positive emotions as the building blocks of mental health and wellbeing
- Engagement through contributing their expertise to their communities
- Relationships that matter help strengthen the foundations onto which to develop their identity within their whanau
- Meaning-making through recognition of their contributions by community members
- Achievements as the self measures of evaluation of one’s activities.
Participants reflect on what makes them feel positive, engaged, connected, purposeful and accomplished. They collate their stories and experiences in a workbook (see table of contents in image below) designed by Yaniv Janson, a young artist on the spectrum, who developed this methodology in collaboration with artists and social scientists who use the PERMA model.
Example Activities:
- Creating space to understand what brings feelings of positivity
- Asking the reader to dive into what brings them meaning
- Planning goals
Reference: Seligman, M. E. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.
Feedback:
I want to say again Yaniv, the Colour Me Happy class is outstanding! The way this class brings people together over a series of weeks for social interaction while learning is just perfect. [Selwyn Cooke, Facilitator, Disability Employment]
Image: Workshop flyer
