Fostering a Dynamic State of Wellbeing through the 8 Dimensions of Wellness
- Annette Hughes
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
Welcome to the In the Flow Blog! It has been a while, but the work continues!
Well-being is often perceived as merely the absence of illness or distress. However, a dynamic state of well-being encompasses much more. It is a holistic approach that integrates emotional, physical, social, spiritual, occupational, environmental, intellectual and financial health. It creates a balanced lifestyle that enables us to reach our full potential and effectively manage our challenges. This model mirrors the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) model for Wellness.
For the past 35 years, I have worked with children and families and seen the helping profession undergo many changes. Helping professionals work in various fields, including social work, counseling, medicine, and education. If you are in a role where you help people obtain resources, support others, or fix broken processes, you are indeed a member of a helping profession. A helping profession includes anyone who provides services to people and communities to maintain a standard of living.
The Role of Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs)
LCSWs play a crucial role in the helping profession, often serving as the first point of contact for individuals in crisis. Our work involves assessing the needs of clients, providing therapy and counseling, and connecting them with community resources. LCSWs also work in the school system, hospitals, advocate for policy changes and work to raise awareness about social issues.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I have worked both independently and with agencies serving families, including those involved with DFCS and Law Enforcement interventions. I have also served on the boards of several community-based organizations and was recently elected Vice President of the Austell Business Association. My daily work focuses not only on individuals with mental health issues but also on those who have limited time and attention, lack knowledge and advocacy, and seek metaphysical guidance to identify the resources they need to stabilize their environment and alleviate challenges in areas needing improvement. Additionally, I served for six years on the Advisory Council for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) at the request of the Cobb County Commissioners.
Making Connections
Although some changes were for the better, there are more and different challenges we face today. The helping profession is tasked with assisting to make the community a better place with limited to no resources. For many of us, helping is not just a job but is intrinsic to who we are. It is my desire to collaborate, partner, or share information, so I’m seeking small organizations, mom-and-pop outfits, and generous benefactors who can help support this mission of pooling our resources together. I currently work with some great organizations that are doing a phenomenal job in our community, including Cobb Community Collaborative, Austell Business Association, The Heart Matters Wellness Services, Connecting Generations, Rehoboth Family and Community Services, Inc., to name a few, but we know there’s still more out there.
With the collective effort of like-minded individuals and groups, we can overcome the hurdles that impede progress and foster a stronger, more resilient community. To mitigate those challenges, I desire to obtain resources and post them on my social media page to avoid bombarding you with numerous email postings. Together, we can create a network of support that extends far beyond what any single LCSW could achieve on their own, ensuring that no one is left behind in our shared mission to promote health and well-being for all.
Let's Stay Connected
To foster a dynamic state of well-being as a continuous, proactive process that integrates the 8 Dimensions of Wellness, I encourage you to sign up for my newsletter and tell a friend. Go to my Facebook page and like it so I know you’re there. While you’re there, please share your business, your role, full contact information, a visual aid (for us visual learners), and spread the word about what you’re doing in your area. I encourage teachers, principals, county departments, board of education members, and county leadership to do the same.
Exciting times are ahead! I look forward to you joining my colleagues and me for the upcoming Wellness events around town. Let's stay connected!
In the Flow,
Annette
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