FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Student number: 221585265

Name: Abenathi

Surname: Mqushwane

MODULE NAME: Psychological basis of Health Promotion

TASK: Assignment

DUE DATE: 02 October 2024

Table of contents

Section Page
1. Introduction 1
2. Raising Mental Health Literacy 2
3. Life Skills Education 3
4. Mental Health Advocacy and 4
Policy
5. Intersectional Alliances 5
6. Conclusion 6
7. References 7
Creating a Supportive
Environment for Mental Health
Promotion
Introduction
The environment in which people live, work, and socialize is one of the
many aspects that impact mental health, which is an essential aspect of
total well-being. 'Creating supportive surroundings' is one of the primary
techniques emphasized by the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion to
improve health outcomes (World Health Organization, 2020). This
technique tries to offer individuals with resources, conditions, and support
systems that enhance mental well-being. The present study investigates
the impact of supportive environments on mental health through four
main lenses: mental health advocacy and policy, life skills education,
increasing mental health literacy, and intersectional alliances. These fields
add to all-encompassing plans for enhancing mental health across a range
of demographics.
Raising Mental Health Literacy
Understanding mental health illnesses, identifying symptoms, knowing
when and how to seek treatment, and providing support to those who are
experiencing mental health problems are all part of mental health literacy.
Increasing mental health literacy is essential to fostering a supportive
atmosphere because it gives people the power to make educated
decisions and lessens the stigma associated with mental illness (Gulliver
et al., 2022). Communities that have a greater understanding of mental
health are more inclined to support people in need of assistance and
address issues early, resulting in a culture that is more responsive and
caring.

Education campaigns, school-based initiatives, and public education have

all been successful in raising public awareness of mental health issues
(O'Reilly et al., 2021). These approaches can lead to timely intervention
and better management of mental health disorders. For example,
knowledge of disorders like anxiety and depression has increased as a
result of educational workshops and campaigns on social media platforms,
enabling people to identify symptoms and seek treatment sooner (Mental
Health Foundation, 2022). Communities may foster an environment that is
more knowledgeable and helpful by improving mental health literacy.

Life Skills Education

Education in life skills gives people the necessary abilities to solve
difficulties, become more resilient, manage stress, and communicate with
others. According to the World Health Organization (2020), life skills
including stress management, communication, and emotional regulation
are essential for preserving mental health and overcoming daily obstacles.
Life skills education is primarily provided by schools, companies, and
community organizations. This helps people manage life's challenges
more skillfully and creates conditions that promote mental health.

According to recent research, learning life skills fosters good coping

strategies, which substantially lowers the likelihood of mental health
illnesses (Vasquez & Marquez, 2020). Adolescent anxiety and depression
rates have been found to be lower in programs that educate youth how to
control their emotions, buck peer pressure, and form healthy relationships
(WHO, 2020). Likewise, workplace training initiatives emphasizing
emotional intelligence and stress management support workers in
preserving their mental well-being, creating more encouraging work
environments (Mental Health Foundation, 2022).

Mental Health Advocacy and Policy

Promoting laws that guarantee mental health care's accessibility and give
it top priority requires mental health advocacy. Advocates strive to modify
laws to provide sufficient funding for mental health care, lessen stigma,
and increase public knowledge (Patel et al., 2021). In order to guarantee
that mental health treatment is included into larger public health
frameworks and made available to everyone, especially in underprivileged
communities, advocacy actions are essential.

Creating supportive settings in schools, businesses, and public health

systems requires policies that support mental health (WHO, 2021).
Reducing stigma and improving access to care, for instance, is achieved
by laws requiring mental health services in schools and mental health
support programs for staff members (Hollins et al., 2020). In order to
guarantee that communities, have access to the resources they require to
support mental well-being, advocates have also lobbied for an increase in
government funding for mental health services (Patel et al., 2021).
Intersectional Alliances
Intersectional alliances take into account racial, gender, socioeconomic,
and disability aspects in order to address the specific mental health needs
of varied communities. These coalitions bring together a number of
stakeholders—healthcare professionals, community leaders, legislators,
and advocacy groups—to establish inclusive mental health initiatives that
consider the junction of multiple social identities (Smith & Crutchfield,
2021).

The mental health problems that disadvantaged individuals frequently

encounter are exacerbated by societal injustices, prejudice, and restricted
access to resources. According to research, by creating culturally
appropriate interventions, intersectional alliances can be crucial in
resolving these gaps (Smith & Crutchfield, 2021). To ensure that mental
health promotion activities are inclusive and fair, alliances advocating for
mental health services catered to the needs of women of color, LGBTQ+
youth, or low-income groups, for instance, are needed (Mental Health
Foundation, 2022). Regardless of their circumstances or history, these
partnerships contribute to the creation of situations where all people can
receive the mental health care and support they require.
 Conclusion
In order to address the various mental health difficulties that people now
confront, it is imperative to provide a supportive environment for mental
health promotion. Societies can create holistic approaches to mental
health by promoting mental health policies, educating people in life skills,
increasing mental health literacy, and forming intersectional alliances. The
Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, which highlights the value of
supportive environments in achieving total well-being, is in line with these
initiatives (World Health Organization, 2020). A holistic and inclusive
approach to mental health promotion ensures that services and support
are accessible to all, leading to healthier and more resilient communities
References
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mental health literacy and reducing stigma in young people. *Australian
and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry*, 56(2), 145-155.
- Hollins, K., Martin, D., & Rimmer, M. (2020). Workplace mental health
policies and their impact on employee well-being: A systematic review.
*Journal of Occupational Health Psychology*, 25(1), 12-26.
- Mental Health Foundation. (2022). Mental health literacy: A growing
public health priority. Available at: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
(Accessed 02 October 2024).
- O'Reilly, M., Dogra, N., & Whiteman, N. (2021). School-based mental
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*Psychology in Schools*, 58(3), 322-334.
- Patel, V., Saxena, S., & Lund, C. (2021). Mental health policy: Global
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- Smith, D., & Crutchfield, T. (2021). Intersectional alliances in mental
health promotion: Addressing disparities in marginalized communities.
*American Journal of Public Health*, 111(7), 1203-1212.
- Vasquez, J., & Marquez, R. (2020). The role of life skills education in
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- World Health Organization. (2020). Life skills education for mental health
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- World Health Organization. (2021). Global Mental Health Action Plan
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