Apoyo is a program of Evangeline a non profit organization. Evangeline seeks to advance the human spirit by creating programs and services that uplifts physical, mental, emotional, financial, and overall wellbeing of disparate individuals and communities through the delivery of evidenced based programming and opportunities for creative expression and progression.
Evangeline envisions a world where all individuals are regarded as necessary and integral components of the advancement of humanity and the culture of our society. As this revelation within individuals is often clouded by socio-economic disparities, helping environments that create opportunities for self-awareness, ongoing development and equity in all walks of life are integral if inner gifts are to be discovered, embraced and shared. By supporting opportunities for engagement of various cultures through the integration of art, education, socialization and service-prejudices and disparities are replaced with the intimacy of knowledge.
The World Health Organization defines health as "not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, but a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being". Wellness has been defined more as the action an individual takes to meet the above definition of health.
Wellness incorporates the power of choice, meaning an individual has the ability to take action towards optimal health. The individual creates the proper environment for a healthier lifestyle. There is an understanding that there is no quick fix for optimal health, that the path of health is an infinite journey. To reach an optimal state of health and wellness, the individual appreciates that the body is a three-dimensional being. Body, mind, and spirit are woven together as one. Any action, thought, feeling that one has, will create a rippling effect on not only their body, but in those that surround.
Wellness is much more than the absence of illness; it is health-promoting behaviors to achieve your full potential. In other words, wellness is the pursuit of your best possible health and well-being. It is a conscious choice, self directed and self motivating.
There are different “models” of the parts making up wellness and well-being. For example, the National Wellness Institute’s model includes ten dimensions:
- Emotional
- Intellectual
- Nutrition
- Occupational
- Physical
- Safety
- Self-Care
- Sexuality
- Social
- Spiritual
The other aspect of wellness is that it focuses on preventative health care; keeping you healthy, as opposed to a traditional health care view that looks only at getting you back to a state where there is no illness or injury.
The Program and Objectives
Apoyo is a program designed to be a support and resource system for health and wellness needs of individuals, companies and organizations which continues the mission of Evangeline.
Goal
Increase the quality, availability, and effectiveness of educational and community-based Health and Wellness programs designed to prevent disease and injury, improve health, and enhance quality of life.
Apoyo educational and community-based programs will play a key role in:
Health status and related health behaviors are determined by influences at multiple levels: personal, organizational/institutional, environmental, and policy. Because significant and dynamic interrelationships exist among these different levels of health determinants, educational and community-based programs are most likely to succeed in improving health and wellness when they address influences at all levels and in a variety of environments/settings.
Health and Wellness educational and community-based programs and strategies are designed to reach people outside of traditional health care settings. These settings may include:
Each setting provides opportunities to reach people using existing social structures. This maximizes impact and reduces the time and resources necessary for program development. People often have high levels of contact with these settings, both directly and indirectly. Programs that combine multiple if not all four settings can have a greater impact than programs using only one setting. While populations reached will sometimes overlap, people who are not accessible in one setting may be in another.
Using nontraditional settings can help encourage informal information sharing within communities through peer social interaction. Reaching out to people in different settings also allows for greater tailoring of health information and education..
Educational and community-based programs encourage and enhance health and wellness by educating communities on topics such as:
Apoyo’s dedication to building avenues to provide health and wellness services such as health screenings, disease education and management, co-pay assistance, prescription assistance, and so much more.
Apoyo educational and community-based programs will play a key role in:
- Preventing disease and injury
- Improving health
- Enhancing quality of life
Health status and related health behaviors are determined by influences at multiple levels: personal, organizational/institutional, environmental, and policy. Because significant and dynamic interrelationships exist among these different levels of health determinants, educational and community-based programs are most likely to succeed in improving health and wellness when they address influences at all levels and in a variety of environments/settings.
Health and Wellness educational and community-based programs and strategies are designed to reach people outside of traditional health care settings. These settings may include:
- Schools
- Worksites
- Health care facilities
- Communities
Each setting provides opportunities to reach people using existing social structures. This maximizes impact and reduces the time and resources necessary for program development. People often have high levels of contact with these settings, both directly and indirectly. Programs that combine multiple if not all four settings can have a greater impact than programs using only one setting. While populations reached will sometimes overlap, people who are not accessible in one setting may be in another.
Using nontraditional settings can help encourage informal information sharing within communities through peer social interaction. Reaching out to people in different settings also allows for greater tailoring of health information and education..
Educational and community-based programs encourage and enhance health and wellness by educating communities on topics such as:
- Chronic diseases
- Injury and violence prevention
- Mental illness/behavioral health
- Unintended pregnancy
- Oral health
- Tobacco use
- Substance abuse
- Nutrition
- Physical activity
- Obesity prevention
- HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention
- Lupus awareness
- Digestive Illness
Apoyo’s dedication to building avenues to provide health and wellness services such as health screenings, disease education and management, co-pay assistance, prescription assistance, and so much more.
Learn more about mental health
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.1 Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, poor mental health and mental illness are not the same. A person can experience poor mental health and not be diagnosed with a mental illness. Likewise, a person diagnosed with a mental illness can experience periods of physical, mental, and social well-being.
Mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health. For example, depression increases the risk for many types of physical health problems, particularly long-lasting conditions like diabetes and heart disease and stroke. Similarly, the presence of chronic conditions can increase the risk for mental illness.
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, poor mental health and mental illness are not the same. A person can experience poor mental health and not be diagnosed with a mental illness. Likewise, a person diagnosed with a mental illness can experience periods of physical, mental, and social well-being.
Mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health. For example, depression increases the risk for many types of physical health problems, particularly long-lasting conditions like diabetes and heart disease and stroke. Similarly, the presence of chronic conditions can increase the risk for mental illness.
Yes, it’s important to remember that a person’s mental health can change over time, depending on many factors. When the demands placed on a person exceed their resources and coping abilities, their mental health could be impacted. For example, if someone is working long hours, caring for a relative, or experiencing economic hardship, they may experience poor mental health.
If you have, or believe you may have, mental health problem, it can be helpful to talk about these issues with others. It can be scary to reach out for help, but it is often the first step to helping you heal, grow, and recover.
Having a good support system and engaging with trustworthy people are key elements to successfully talking about your own mental health.
Our emotional health can range from thriving to struggling. No matter what you’re experiencing, there are ways to take action to support yourself and those around you. Click above for more information about your Mental Health!!
If you have, or believe you may have, mental health problem, it can be helpful to talk about these issues with others. It can be scary to reach out for help, but it is often the first step to helping you heal, grow, and recover.
Having a good support system and engaging with trustworthy people are key elements to successfully talking about your own mental health.
Our emotional health can range from thriving to struggling. No matter what you’re experiencing, there are ways to take action to support yourself and those around you. Click above for more information about your Mental Health!!