• Health promotion

Health promotion

This book by the World Health Organization’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse describes the concept of mental health promotion, the emerging evidence for effective mental health promotion interventions and the related public health policy and practice implications. It is a tool for guiding public officials and medical professionals in addressing the mental health needs of their societies. It also emphasises the urgent need to systematically assemble, review and generate evidence about the benefits of mental health promotion, so that a stronger scientific base for further planning can be developed.

The book reviews the available evidence from a range of countries and cultures, and documents how actions such as advocacy, policy and project development, legislative and regulatory reform, communications, research and evaluation may be achieved and monitored. It presents evidence of the link between the protection of basic civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights and good mental health. It emphasises that everyone has a role and responsibility in mental health promotion and encourages integrated participation from a variety of sectors. Although focusing on resource-poor settings, it recognises that awareness and active involvement by each member of the community often have the greatest impact on improving mental health.

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