What is wellbeing?

Wellbeing is not just the absence of illness. It is a complex combination of a person's physical, mental, emotional and social health factors.

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Wellbeing is more than simply the absence of illness. It encompasses quality of life and the ability of people and communities to contribute to the world with a sense of meaning and purpose. Wellbeing is strongly linked to happiness and life satisfaction. 

Wellbeing is complex and unique to each individual, evolving over a lifetime. Understanding how to maintain your wellbeing is important. Work, community and environment can influence the physical, mental, social and spiritual factors that underpin mental health and wellbeing.

Family wellbeing is critical to supporting a healthy veteran community. Defence and veteran families have individual wellbeing factors that are the same as the general population, such as age, gender, cultural backgrounds and spiritual beliefs. They also have factors that are unique to the Defence and veteran community, such as type or length of service, the number of and impact of operational deployments and relocations, the reason for separation from service and the transition experience. 

 

Good mental health

Research has shown that wellbeing is closely linked with good mental health. Like wellbeing, mental health effects, and is affected by, multiple socioeconomic factors, including a person’s access to services, living conditions and employment status. It impacts not only the individual but also their families, carers and other relationships. Good mental health is crucial to support you in coping with stress and other difficult emotions in daily life.

According to the World Health Organisation, good mental health is when you can:

  • cope with the normal stresses of life
  • learn and work productively
  • use your talents and abilities, and
  • contribute to your community.

 

Looking after your mental health

It is important to look after your mental health as part of your broader personal wellbeing. Maintaining your wellbeing is influenced by many things, including:

  • your connection to Country, culture, religion or spirituality, upbringing, and life experiences
  • your family, community, school or workplace
  • your financial situation
  • your relationship and sense of belonging
  • societal attitudes
  • getting enough exercise, sleep, and nutrition
  • spending time with friends, and
  • taking time to enjoy yourself.

 

Things that protect your wellbeing

The National Mental Health Commission has found that communities in which people feel safe, healthy, economically secure, and connected to others are associated with higher levels of wellbeing, lower levels of distress and lower suicide rates.

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide also found that ADF service is a factor that can protect serving members against suicide and suicidality. Serving in the ADF can help people feel a sense of belonging and purpose, and provide support from peers and mentors. ADF service also supports people with regular employment, financial stability, and accommodation. These factors promote resilience and maintain wellbeing among serving and ex-serving members and their families.

Known protective factors for suicidality can include:

  • strong coping skills
  • hopefulness and positive future orientation
  • motivations for wellbeing
  • social support, and
  • peer support programs and community connection.

 

Finding wellbeing support

Positive steps can be taken to ensure that you have the supports, strategies and protective factors to maintain your wellbeing and good mental health.

There are resources in place to support the wellbeing of serving and ex-serving members and their families. More information can be found on our pages:

Defence and veteran services  Support for families  Crisis and mental health supports