Study Defines Mental Wellbeing Globally

Researchers at Adelaide University and Be Well Co have established an international consensus on positive mental well-being through a landmark study published in Nature Mental Health.

The team surveyed 122 global experts across 11 disciplines, creating a standardized taxonomy to replace fragmented definitions of mental well-being. The findings laid the foundation for six core pillars: emotional wellbeing, psychological functioning, and social connection.

Dr Matthew Iasiello from Adelaide University emphasized that positive mental health isn’t about feeling good all the time but involves a combination of factors enabling individuals to live meaningful lives even during difficult times.

Co-researcher Dr Joep van Agteren noted that this consensus provides a blueprint for understanding what constitutes good mental health, marking a significant shift in how individuals and organizations approach mental well-being.