The Wellbeing Foundation

The Wellbeing Foundation takes the position that the time has come for the disease-biological model, with its terminology of ‘mental illness’ and biological malfunction, to be replaced by the more humanitarian psychosocial model, which sees mental distress as a response to life events and experiences.

The humanitarian approach ushers in the era of prevention of mental distress, from which follows a multitude of innovative changes. These include, among many others, the creation of learning environments for our children which equip them with personal, emotional and interpersonal skills, which help them learn and know how to take personal responsibility for their minds and bodies, thus enabling them to live creatively and happily in their world. For those experiencing psychosocial distress in the present, it paves the way for crisis intervention centres, therapeutic communities, and various forms of psychological rehabilitation. Central to the Wellbeing Foundation approach is the concept of human sustainability, which focuses on and embraces the unique response each individual makes to life’s challenges, and the contribution which community and the ending of isolation can make to their healing.

The foundation was formed in 2006 to address the parlous state of the mental health services in Ireland, to carry out research and education programmes, and to deal with specific issues faced by those who find themselves having to use these services. The foundation publishes depressiondialogues.ie, an online magazine, where a great deal of information and resources reflecting the standpoint of the founders can be found.