Promotion
The actual promotional
activities will be research-based.
Mental
health promotion involves any actions to enhance the mental well being
of individuals, families, organization and communities. It is
important for one to note that everyone has mental health needs
whether or not they have been diagnosed of mental illness.
Mental
Health works at three levels
-
Strengthening Individuals: increasing emotional resilience through
interventions designed to promote self-esteem, life and coping
skills e.g. communication, negotiation, relationships and parenting
skills (Chevalier House pilot project, Counselling)
-
Strengthening Communities: involves increasing social inclusion and
participation, improving neighbourhoods environments, developing
health and social services which support mental health, workplace
health, community safety, child care and self help networks.
(Research, Education/Awareness, Sustainable livelihoods)
-
Reducing structural Barriers to Mental Health: through initiatives
to reduce discrimination and inequalities and to promote access to
education, meaningful employment, housing, services and support for
those who are vulnerable. (Advocacy, Promotion)
Despite proactive mental health promotion approaches both globally
and nationally, mental health in the Pacific remains a disease-focused
problem. Some of the effects of this have been:
-
The exclusion of communities
in a national supportive framework for people experiencing mental
distress and disease,
-
The exclusion of people suffering
from mental distress as opposed to those with a mental illness,
-
The failure to realize the necessity
of access to professional counselors,
-
The failure to priorities national
supportive frameworks that focus on collaboration between individuals,
communities, counselors, psychiatrists and, rehabilitation centers,
and the legislations and policies that support these.
