Priority actions for promoting population mental health and wellbeing

Abstract

Mental health promotion is an essential strategy for improving population mental health and wellbeing and preventing poor mental health. This paper outlines the case for governments to invest in promoting population mental health and wellbeing by adopting a mental health promotion approach.

Drawing on a synthesis of the international evidence, findings are presented on effective mental health promotion interventions that can be feasibly implemented across the life course in everyday settings and that have the potential to be scaled-up at a country level. Based on a review of 111 meta-analyses and 57 systematic reviews, both universal and targeted interventions are identified, that have been shown to enhance good mental health, reduce the risk of mental ill-health, and advance population health and wellbeing. The implications of the findings for policy and practice are outlined.

The policy structures and processes that are needed to support the delivery of evidence-based strategies at a population level are considered, including investing in the systems and capacity to ensure their sustained implementation. In particular, the need for policy models to support intersectoral action at a whole-of-government and whole-of-society level is outlined.