4858 Mental Health Report - National University of Ireland, Galway

Background and Rationale
1
There is increasing recognition, both nationally and internationally, of the need
to address mental health as an integral part of improving overall health and wellbeing.
The first ever Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health was published in
the United States in 1999, underscoring the fact that ‘mental health is
fundamental to health’ (US Department of Health and Human Services 1999). The
World Health Organisation and the World Bank Report (Murray and Lopez 1996)
have drawn attention to the rise in mental health problems such as suicide and
depression as major public health problems to be addressed in the 21st century. It
is predicted that by the year 2020 depression will constitute the second biggest
cause of disease burden world-wide. In Northern Ireland, a steadily increasing
incidence of depression and suicide has been noted in recent years (Foster et al.
1997). These concerns mirror the findings in the Republic of Ireland where the
Report of the National Task Force on Suicide (Department of Health and Children
1998) highlights a significant rise in the male suicide rate over the last 20 years.
Suicide is now the leading cause of death among young men (15-24 years) in the
Republic of Ireland.
These statistics call for co-ordinated action in developing comprehensive mental
health promotion strategies in order to reduce the future incidence of mental
health problems. The National Task Force on Suicide (1998) in the Republic of
Ireland recommends the use of primary prevention and promotion strategies in
order to bring about a reversal of the rising trends in suicide. Programmes
targeting greater public awareness and understanding, together with school and
community based life-skills programmes, are identified as offering an opportunity
of promoting positive mental and social well-being. Similarly, regional and
national policy documents in Northern Ireland (e.g. DHSS 1996 and 1997) have
called for positive action in this area.
Mental health promotion is concerned with achieving positive mental health and
quality of life at a population level. The focus of this interdisciplinary area of
practice is on enhancing the strengths and competencies of individuals and
communities, thereby promoting positive emotional and mental well-being.
Mental health promotion targets the whole population and focuses on the
protective factors for enhancing well-being and quality of life, together with
early intervention and prevention of mental health problems. The underlying
principle of this approach is that mental health is an integral part of overall
health and is therefore of relevance to all. Mental health is a positive sense of
well-being and an underlying belief in our own and others’ dignity and worth
(HEA 1997). The UK Health Education Authority in its Mental Health Promotion
Quality Framework (1997) highlights three key influences on mental health:
• Healthy structures such as the economic, social and cultural framework.
• Citizenship, including social support, sense of social integration and
inclusion.
• Emotional resilience encompassing self-esteem, coping, life
skills and sense of control.
9