The Power of Connection – A “Social Prescription” for enhanced health and wellbeing

I wanted to round out 2022 with a noticing, a reflection on research, and an action for 2023.

The Noticing – Connection enhances wellbeing

At the end of the APPA conference, I spoke to Vicki Harris about how positive and upbeat everyone was and said I’d be interested to know how everyone felt coming into the conference versus how they felt as they were leaving conference. Thankfully Vicki immediately changed the conference evaluation survey! The results showed that the time spent connecting with colleagues who are equally passionate about our moral purpose has a positive impact on our health and wellbeing.

The reflection on research

I reflected on Kristen Douglas’ Headspace presentation for the PPA last year on “Social, Emotional, Relational, Leadership: Leaning in to 2022”. Kristen talked about “Social Prescribing” where medical professionals are prescribing social contact to improve health and wellbeing outcomes. Research in 2019 found over 90% of GPs and allied health professionals believe that referring patients to non-medical services in the community is extremely helpful for improving health and wellbeing outcomes.

So, the implication of the noticing and research for us all is …. GET CONNECTED TO YOUR TRIBES FOR YOUR HEALTH AND THEIRS!!!

The action for 2023

Kristen even gave us a checklist to help us with the social prescription. The only thing we have to do in actually use it!

I encourage everyone to look at then checklist below with your team and use it as a basis to continue to intentionally be the “architects of recovery” for yourself, your staff, students and your community.

If you missed Kristen’s presentation “Leaning into 2022”, the recording is available in the Members area of the NSWPPA Website.

It’s a great resource to help springboard into 2023.