Betting on a different horse: a qualitative analysis of mental health in health promotion policies

Authors:
SOLIN Pia, LEHTO Juhani
Journal article citation:
Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 3(3), September 2004, pp.8-17.
Publisher:
Pavilion

Aims to analyse the position and role of mental health in health promotion policy. Policy documents from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, England and Portugal indicate that, although mental health is considered a serious issue, it is problematic in policy terms. Arguments make the case for the importance of mental health within the health promotion agenda, including the classification of mental illness as a public health problem, socio-economic and individual costs of mental health problems, and the view that mental wellbeing is a crucial element of overall health. However, problems of definition and measurement, and a traditional focus on treatment and care, continue to make mental health promotion problematic for policy makers.

Subject terms:
mental health, mental health problems, mental health services, policy formulation, health needs;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
Denmark, England, Finland, Netherlands, Portugal
ISSN print:
1475-9535

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