What causes a person to flourish or languish? Or to be well or ill? How can the mental health and well-being of society as a whole, and individuals, be promoted and enhanced? This book explores the social, economic, political, cultural, and environmental factors that affect mental health and well-being on a societal and individual level, and how prevention and intervention can enhance mental health. Taking a holistic approach to mental health, the book sets out effective strategies, from creating a supportive environment to building personal skills. Three extended case studies demonstrate how principles can be applied in practice in different situations: a specific social problem (suicide); a population group (young Black and minority ethnic groups); and a medically defined problem (people with long term conditions).The book is a vital resource for strategic planners (including commissioners) working to promote mental health and wellbeing at a population level, as well as operational services delivering to specific individuals and groups. It addresses the role of generic service providers as well as being essential reading for mental health and public health students.
Acknowledgements. Foreword by Professor John R. Ashton. Introduction: What Creates Mental Health and Well-being? 1. Measuring Outcomes Related to Mental Health and Well-being: What Do We Want to Achieve? 2. What Affects Mental Health and Well-being? The Wider Social, Cultural and Physical Environment. 3. What Affects Mental Health and Well-being? Individual Social, Cultural and Physical Circumstances. 4. What Affects Mental Health and Well-being? Individual Life Stage and Personal Behaviours. 5. How Can We Develop Mental Health and Well-being Strategically? 6. How Can We Develop Mental Health and Well-being Operationally? 7. Extended Case Study: Prevention of Suicide and Self-harm. 8. Extended Case Study: Improving Mental Health and Well-being Among Young Black and Minority Ethnic Groups. 9. Extended Case Study: Improving Mental Health and Well-being in People with Long-term Conditions. Conclusions. References. Index.
Generally, the style was concise and clear, with key points sections at the start of each chapter, reasonable text layout (although admittedly a bit bland), and a summary/coming up section at the end of each chapter. Relevant policy and legislation are outlined in a helpful rather than tokenistic way, and generally the references and anecdotal case studies seem to be pertinent and informative. Overall, this is a recommended read.
