Healthy Communities

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

What is mental health promotion?

The World Health Organisation describes mental health promotion as actions taken to create living conditions and environments that support mental health and allow people to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles (2004).

What is mental health?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) mental health is a state of wellbeing in which the individual realises their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to their community.

Mental wellbeing is on a continuum and all of us may experience mental health concerns at any time.  The causes of poor mental health are complex and variable and social and emotional wellbeing is important to our sense of satisfaction with our life. Supportive relationships, resilience and freedom from discrimination and violence are key. Stress and life events also have an influence on our mental health and wellbeing throughout our life.

Related Links