Promotion of Mental Health: Basic Concepts and Program Guidelines for Parental and School Settings

Abstract

AbstractGood mental health is an integral part of population's general health and well-being that contributes to the quality of functioning of individuals, families and communities. In newer European Union documents, mental health is perceived as a prerequisite for the social and economic growth of each society. According to that, the role of the decision makers and the responsibility of various helping professions is to act towards social determinants which influence mental health.The aim of this paper is to present modern interdisciplinary area of mental health promotion through the review of the literature, starting from the historical development of the area, basic concepts and guidelines for program development. The paper highlights the differences between mental health promotion and prevention of mental disorders. Promotion is connected with positive mental health, and its main goal is strengthening protective factors and competencies. Prevention, on the other hand, aims to reduce risk factors and specific disorders to diminish incidence, prevalence, and seriousness of problems.Regarding recent international developments, which state that mental health should concern various sectors and social policies, not just health sector, this paper brings basic models to contribute to the mutual understanding of the terminology within different professions. Multi-sectoral mental health promotion involves activities and programs for supporting parenthood, and children and youth in the education system, while the area of social welfare and healthcare concerns with the quality of life in a community and within a work place settings. Regarding the interdisciplinary nature of the area, this paper wants to contribute to the scientific and professional discussion of various disciplines which are included.