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Introduction

This activity helps to establish a common understanding of the principles, target groups and outcomes of mental health promotion, and how it is distinct from related concepts. It is particularly important because of the lack of a clear definition of the term.

Materials

• Flip chart paper & pens
• Overheads
  • Overheads
  • Key principles of mental health promotion
  • Mental health promotion and related concepts

Preparation

Write out the three questions listed below on flipchart paper before the session begins.

Suggested Process

Part 1 (10 minutes)
Ask the participants to break into 3 small groups. Give each group one of the following questions:

• What are the key principles of a mental health promotion approach?
• Who is the target group for mental health promotionmental health promotion?
• What are outcomes that mental health promotion efforts hope to achieve?
• Ask each group to discuss the questions and to record their responses. Each group should choose one member to report back to the larger group.

Part 2 (10 minutes)
Ask the appointed member of each group to share their responses with the larger group. The facilitator should record the responses on flip chart paper for the group. In the discussion that follows, ask the participants if they feel that they have been involved in community efforts that they would consider mental health promotion. Ask the participants to briefly describe these efforts (e.g. location, focus of project) and make a list of these examples to refer to in subsequent exercises.

Part 3 (10 minutes)
Briefly recap the principles, target groups and outcomes of mental health promotion using the overheads provided.