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Targeting suicide - qualitative analysis of suicide prevention strategy documents in England and Finland
- Authors:
- SOLIN Pia, NIKANDER Pirjo
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Review Journal, 16(1), March 2011, pp.5-14.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
In a policy context, suicide is not easily defined, understood or prevented. It leaves a long-lasting mental and social burden on those left behind, as well as direct consequences on the health sector and society as a whole. The means policy itself is often difficult to turn into action. This review details the interpretative repertoires found in the suicide prevention strategies of both England and Finland, and examines their potential functions and audiences. In both nations, the political repertoire was formed from four themes: the public health epidemiology; the everyday; the preventive action; and the reflective repertoires. The paper outlines the polyphonic and multi-layered nature of these policy documents and how different repertoires may be used for various functions. The paper concludes that, while the polyphonic nature of policy documents is necessary to reach a wider readership and to capture suicide as a controversial phenomenon, its argumentative style may also undermine some of the measures and actions recommended by policy itself.
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.