Barwon Health

Healthy Communities - Mental Health Promotion

Barwon Health understands the importance of mental health promotion in supporting the health of our community.

What do we do?

We develop promotion and prevention programs that aim to improve the overall mental health and wellbeing of whole communities.

What is mental health promotion and prevention?

The World Health Organisation (2022) describes mental health promotion and prevention as actions that:

Reduce risks factors for poor mental health
Increase resilience of individual and communities
Build environments that support good mental health and wellbeing. ^[1]

What is mental wellbeing?

Mental wellbeing describes a dynamic state of complete physical, mental, social, and spiritual wellbeing in which a person can develop to their potential, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and creatively, build strong and positive relationships with others and contribute to the community.

Mental wellbeing can be influenced by our genetics, life experiences, relationships, social and cultural backgrounds, and the environments in which we are born, live, learn, work and play. ^[2]

Why focus on mental wellbeing?

Mental health and wellbeing is important to us all and affect not individuals but whole communities. It therefore requires a whole community approach.

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