Mental Health and Wellbeing: Keep the dialogue going

Following the release of the PASCAL EcCoWell 2 paper on "Promoting mental health and well-being in EcCoWell2 communities | Stimulus paper" (2020, Kearns, P. & Lido, C.), a useful Zoom discussion was held on 28 May 2020 involving participants in the EcCoWell 2 Community Recovery Program.

The subject of wellbeing is obviously crucial in this era of disruption, turbulence, high unemployment, and rising levels of anxiety and depression with an uncertain future.  PASCAL hopes that the conversation opened up by this paper can be maintained in the coming months, particularly in looking for practical things that communities can do both during the pandemic and in thinking about the post-pandemic world. 

These ideas can be brought into the PASCAL/UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning joint webinar on this subject, to be held on 18 November at 1300 hours CET.

Some of the points made in the 28 May discussion that require further elaboration, input and development include the following:

• Learning must be at the forefront, it is the enabler of all other actions;
• A global definition of Wellbeing is important for a common grasp of implications;
• Reimagining knowledge and learning (as being explored by UNESCO) is an imperative;
• Overcoming technology barriers is crucial for equitable access and opportunities for all in any circumstance across urban, regional to remote environments (i.e. where people are);
• Self-reflection and understanding are pathways to improving mental capital (embodied in Foresight's 5 actions: connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give);
• Learning neighbourhoods will be variously impacted to strengthen "place" as a result of positive connections to the extreme needs of vulnerable groups and potential family break-downs due to isolation and stressors;
• The value of art and culture therapy can facilitate awareness, identity, confidence, and growth; 
• Keeping community accurately informed by agencies, institutions, governments and through the media help the public be abreast of developments and thus included; and
• Re-evaluating the position of learning city structures and philosophies in revitalising communities and networks is a timely call to recognise attribution.

We ask you to contribute via this online forum.

Peter Kearns (PASCAL Board) & Denise Reghenzani-Kearns (PASCAL Associate)