Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Background</bold> : Positive assessments of wellbeing are associated with improved psychosocial functioning, resilience and adaptability. Assessing wellbeing however can be challenging due to its inherent multidimensionality, influenced by cognitive, emotional and contextual factors that are difficult to capture using conventional self report measures. Visual elicitation offers an alternative participatory method, enabling access to tacit, affective and contextually embedded dimensions of wellbeing. <bold>Objective</bold> : To examine how a novel visual elicitation tool and approach can support individuals to identify and reflect on their most salient wellbeing needs and to understand how these needs are conceptualised and experienced. <bold>Method:</bold> Semi structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 45 adults using <italic>My Story Cards</italic> , a set of 20 conceptual images representing wellbeing related needs. Participants selected images that resonated with their experiences and explained their choices. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. <bold>Results:</bold> The visual approach enabled participants to quicky identify and prioritise their most important wellbeing needs, eliciting tacit knowledge and integrating cognitive reflection with emotional insight. The method revealed both fulfilled and unmet needs within real life contexts. Core needs including supportive connections, autonomy, health, safety and security were consistently identified, but their meaning and salience varied according to life stage, gender, and personal circumstances. Participants described the process as intuitive and engaging, facilitating introspection and supporting articulation of experiences. <bold>Conclusions</bold> : <italic>My Story Cards</italic> , a <italic/> simple, evidence informed participatory visual tool is engaging and facilitates identification, exploration and shared understanding of met and unmet needs. The method advances psychological practice, enabling a holistic, person centred inquiry in which participants clarified priorities and explained how needs interact with life circumstances, relationships and broader social environments. </p>