EUNOIA [yoo-noy-uh].  This little known word comes from the Greek εὔνοια, meaning “well mind” or “beautiful thinking.” It is also a rarely used medical term referring to a state of normal mental health.   Think of it as the opposite of paranoia, with which it rhymes. 

In its original sense, the Greek philosopher Aristotle used the term eunoia to describe the feeling of friendship and good will a public speaker evokes in an audience.

In this blog, I hope to establish eunoia with you, my readers.   But my wider purpose is to bring you news about best practices, research and innovative treatments that are examples of “beautiful thinking” in the field of mental health. For example, a program that helps people with schizophrenia to improve their memory, attention and problem-solving skills or an evidence-based employment model from Dartmouth University that helps people find and keep jobs of their own choosing.  In other words, eunoia.

As a regular feature on rtor.org, I will post a book review, report, or commentary on a mental health related topic that demonstrates the best and latest thinking in the prevention, treatment or care of mental illness, particularly as it relates to families.  I would also like to engage in conversation with you on these topics, through a moderated comments section.

Please join me in Eunoia.

By the way, eunoia is the shortest word in the English language to contain all five vowels of the alphabet.  There is even an entire book of poetry devoted to this single word (“Eunoia” by Christian Bök)

Eunoia [yoo-noy-uh] derived from the Greek word εὔνοια, a combination of “eu” (well) + “nous” (mind)

1. Well mind or “beautiful thinking”.
2.  A state of normal mental health.
3.  The feeling of friendship and good will a public speaker evokes in an audience.

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Jay Boll, Editor in Chief www.rtor.org

Jay Boll, LMSW, writes about mental health from dual perspectives: as a professional with more than thirty-five years of experience working with homeless youth and adults with mental illness, and as a family member who has witnessed the impact of mental illness up close and personal.
 
There are many sides to mental health recovery. Jay’s blog takes The Family Side.

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