“Child and Family Well-Being”—It sounds pretty impressive, doesn’t it? But what exactly does “well-being” mean—what does it look like? Is “well-being” different from “being well”?

“Being well” implies absence of illness, a generally healthy state, often used in conjunction with having just recovered from some “unwell” condition, or perhaps having managed to avoid getting sick when others around you are ill. Those of us who have thus far managed to avoid the H1N1 flu are appreciative of this kind of wellness.

And yet while we may experience being well, this in no way ensures our well-being. “Well-being” is far more encompassing than merely being free of disease. In fact, I would argue that it is possible to experience “well-being” even in the midst of disease or disability.

Think of the images we see of smiling young children with cancer who are in no way “well,” yet because of the love and care of family and compassionate caregivers, they can experience “well-being.” Well-being is as much a state of mind as being well is a state of body. And while physical ailments may challenge the quest for well-being, they do not preclude it. Often the well-being that triumphs despite not being well is a powerful force that can help fight that which is interfering with being well. And, conversely, if well-being is not achieved and supported, it makes it much more likely that disease or disability will win out.

Being well is an individual quest. Well-being is a community project. We all have a responsibility to create a network of well-being. The stronger that network is, the more likely it is that a temporary “hole” in the network does not unravel the entire net.

And families are at the heart of that network, literally and figuratively. When families are strong and “well,” they radiate “well-being” both inward to individual family members, and outward to others around them. “Well-being” is at least as contagious as an illness (being un-well) can be.

We owe it to our children to help build this network of well-being—and to help them learn to contribute to it as well.

“Being well” is a place, but “well-being” is a journey.

© Melissa Clark Vickers 2010

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