International Collaborations on Mental Health Promotion: A Western Pacific Initiative

Abstract

Interventions that promote mental health at community and country levels complement early intervention and treatment in clinical care. Once mental health is seen as a legitimate part of public health, or health promotion, the public health approach becomes a useful framework to develop partnerships and interventions. VicHealth is an independent statutory authority, funded by the state government of Victoria, Australia to work in health promotion. It has begun a long-term investment in mental health promotion. The framework for action begins with gathering local evidence about mental health and its modifiable determinants such as connection to community, school, work and home, the environment..