Introduction
Health is a state of mental, physical and social wellbeing and it is largely influenced by large number of interconnecting factors. Mental health is one of the most significant elements of health and it is an asset and ingeniousness that helps us deal with daily stresses of life. A well balanced mental health protects us and help avoid risk taking behaviours that contribute towards overall bad health. The present paper presents a comprehensive review of literature and data sources regarding mental health promotion. The following is a literature review of some of the recent mental health promotion research studies that synthesize the present-day general concepts and evidence of effective interventions in this upcoming field of mental health promotion.
What is Mental Health Promotion?
Mental Health Promotion builds and enhances the mental capacity of an individual and a community by increasing people’s own ability to accomplish and maintain good mental health (Herrman, Moodie and VIC, 2010). Health promotion strategies aim at achieving the overall wellness of the community by bringing into implementation the mental health determinants through the application of tactics and guidelines of WHO or national health authorities like Ottawa Charter or local health authorities (Higgins and Greens, 2008).
Health promotion focuses on avoiding illness, but for mental health promotion the focus is just more than that because having a good mental health is not merely avoiding any mental illness (Herrman et al., 2010). The mental health is determined by social inclusion (community involvement, supportive relationships, civic engagement and group activity), access to economic resources (education, work, money, housing) and freedom from violence and discrimination (physical security, valuing diversity and self determination) (Fledderus et al., 2010). In case of mental health promotion, it is necessary for the policy makers to plan and execute their health promotion plans to evaluate their benefits (Herrman et al., 2010).
Evidence of Effective Interventions
Literature represents a vast documentation of effective mental health promotion interventions. They aim to diminish the risk factors contributing to poor mental health and enhancing favourable protective factors (Higgins and Green, 2008). These interventions produce other social, health and economic benefits too. Some of the most effective mental health promotion interventions include strengthening parenting skills during early childhood phase (Weare and Nind, 2011), preventing bullying in schools, creating work life balance and dealing with stress at workplace (Creek and Lougher, 2011).
Academic studies have revealed that work conditions and employment are significant mental health determinants for the adults. Burnout, stress and depression are some of the symptoms of bad mental health resulting from high demanding job, workplace bullying, insecurity, occupational violence and low job control (Eldredge et al., 2016). Reduced productivity, absenteeism, increased compensation cost and disability can increase costs for the employers. Therefore, employers must have knowledge and proper awareness of mental health issues at work so that they can take effective interventions to promote mental health at the workplace (Creek and Lougher, 2011). Effective interventions are comprised of regular counselling to improve coping skills, job creation programmes and skill enhancement and training programmes for the youth. Employers and employees must cooperate with each other at work in building a supportive environment. Effective interventions also involve training in stress management and relaxation techniques, improving role clarity, building healthy social relationships and conflict management (Herrman et al., 2010).
Conclusion
The ill-effects of workplace stress go beyond the workplace and get spilled over into personal life of an individual. Unsupportive managers, work cultures and heavy workloads can disrupt work-life balance which is quite crucial for good mental health.
References
Creek, J., & Lougher, L. (2011). Occupational therapy and mental health. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Eldredge, L. K. B., Markham, C. M., Kok, G., Ruiter, R. A., & Parcel, G. S. (2016). Planning health promotion programs: an intervention mapping approach. John Wiley & Sons.
Fledderus, M., Bohlmeijer, E. T., Smit, F., & Westerhof, G. J. (2010). Mental health promotion as a new goal in public mental health care: A randomized controlled trial of an intervention enhancing psychological flexibility.American journal of public health, 100(12), 2372-2372.
Herrman, H., Moodie, R., & VIC, A. S. S. (2010). Mental health promotion.Mental and Neurological Public Health: A Global Perspective, 450.
Higgins, J. P., & Green, S. (Eds.). (2008). Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions (Vol. 5). Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
Weare, K., & Nind, M. (2011). Mental health promotion and problem prevention in schools: what does the evidence say?. Health promotion international, 26(suppl 1), i29-i69.
