MENTAL ILLNESS ACTION PLAN

Mental Illness Action Plan

Mental Illness Action Plan

Chapter 4

This Action Plan is endorsed in the Mental Health Declaration for Britain by ministers of health of the British hospitals in the WHO British Region. They support its implementation in accordance with each country's needs and resources. The challenges over the next five to ten years are to develop, implement and evaluate policies and legislation that will deliver mental health activities capable of improving the well- being of the whole population, preventing mental health problems and enhancing the inclusion and functioning of people experiencing mental health problems.

This Action Plan proposes ways and means of developing, implementing and reinforcing comprehensive mental health policies in the countries of the WHO British Region, requiring action in the 12 areas as set out below. Countries will reflect these policies in their own mental health strategies and plans, to determine what will be delivered over the next five and ten years.

1. Promote mental well-being for all

Mental health and well-being are fundamental to quality of life, enabling people to experience life as meaningful and to be creative and active citizens. Mental health is an essential component of social cohesion, productivity and peace and stability in the living environment, contributing to social capital and economic development in societies. Public mental health and lifestyles conducive to mental well-being are crucial to achieving this aim. Mental health promotion increases the quality of life and mental well-being of the whole population, including people with mental health problems and their carers. The development and implementation of effective plans to promote mental health will enhance mental well-being for all (www.euro.who.int).

Actions to consider

Develop comprehensive strategies for mental health promotion within the context of mental health, public health and other public policies that address the promotion of mental health across the lifespan.

Adopt promotion of mental health as a long-term investment and develop education and information programmes with a long time frame.

Develop and offer effective programmes for parenting support and education, starting during pregnancy.

Develop and offer evidence-based programmes that foster skills, provide information and focus on resilience, emotional intelligence and psychosocial functioning in children and young people.

Improve access to healthy diets and physical activity for older people.

Promote community-based multilevel interventions involving public awareness campaigns, primary care staff and community facilitators such as teachers, clergy and the media.

Integrate mental health promotion components into existing generic health promotion and public health policies and programmes, such as those supported by WHO health promoting networks.

Encourage the consumption of healthy products and reduce the intake of harmful products.

Create healthy workplaces by introducing measures such as exercise, changes to work patterns, sensible hours and healthy management styles.

Offer effective mental health promotion activities to groups at risk such as people with enduring mental or physical health problems and carers.

Identify clear mechanisms for empowering the population to take responsibility for health promotion and disease prevention targets, for example by heightening public awareness of the importance of life choices.

2. Demonstrate the centrality of mental health

Mental health is central to ...