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Health Services > Be Kind to Your Mind

Context

What is mental health promotion?
Definitions of mental health and wellbeing are more complex than those concerned with physical health. Many people feel more comfortable with the term 'emotional and social wellbeing' as 'mental health' is a term they often associate with mental illness. The following definition is adopted by Queensland Health to ensure wide community understanding of the importance of mental health and its relevance to all people. "Mental health is the embodiment of social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Mental health provides individuals with the vitality necessary for active living, to achieve goals and to interact with one another in ways that are respectful and just" (Vic Health, 1999).

Mental health promotion is the name given to any action or activity that seeks to maximise social and emotional wellbeing or mental health for individuals, groups, communities and populations. It is a positive way of working with communities to enhance their sense of wellbeing and quality of life. This is achieved through delivering a range of multi-strategic programmes and seeks to address the inequalities that exist in our communities. Mental health promotion makes creating health and wellbeing everybody's business. Therefore, a key focus of work is building and sustaining genuine partnerships across all sectors and the community.

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Be Kind to Your Mind
Be Kind to Your Mind is a Queensland Health campaign to promote the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and communities in North Queensland. It uses television and radio advertising and local press to convey key messages around themes such as life balance, social support and connectedness. Community based strategies in four demonstration areas are also being coordinated to reinforce the campaign messages. The four demonstration areas are Innisfail, Moranbah, Mount Isa and Townsville.

Reference:
Vic Health, 1999 Mental Health Promotion Plan 1999-2002, Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture, Melbourne.

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Last Updated: 03 January 2007
Last Reviewed: 03 January 2007