PERMA Model and Mental Health Practice

 In this paper, we reflect on how Positive Emotion and Meaning elements of Seligman’s PERMA Model were used in assisting Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) patient achieve own wellbeing during work placement. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a global public mental health disorder affecting more women than men. In the UK, it accounts for 5.9% of all mental health disorders and the number of people suffering from GAD continues rising. GAD contributes to negative economic and social impacts on individuals, families, communities, and the nation. Therefore, it is imperative that effective evidence-based interventions are used to enhance the wellbeing of those who suffer from this condition.   After using the intervention developed using Positive Emotion and Meaning elements of Seligman’s PERMA Model, the patient showed increased interest and participation in quizzes, pools, and TV watching. He also increased his time spending in communal areas chatting with his peers. He started advocating the activities he was engaged in as therapeutic and recommending them to other patients. He developed positive attitudes towards these activities in that he thought they were preventing him from being bored and from having ill thoughts which would have increased his anxiety levels.  We concluded from these results that the use of Seligman PERMA Model’s elements of Positive Emotion and Meaning is useful in developing and implementing intervention that are effective in helping Generalised Anxiety Disorder patients achieve their wellbeing. We therefore recommend that Seligman PERMA model’s elements of Positive Emotion and Meaning should be considered when developing effective interventions aimed at helping GAD patients achieve their wellbeing.