Mental Health

Mental health can be defined as
'...the emotional and spiritual resilience which enables us to enjoy life
and to survive pain, disappointment and sadness. It is a positive sense
of well-being and an underlying belief in our own and others' dignity
and worth.'
 
Mental health promotion
'...includes any activity which actively fosters good mental health, through increasing mental health promoting factors such as
meaningful employment and decreasing those factors which damage or reduce good mental health, such as abuse or violence. Activities which promote mental health may also prevent mental illness.'
(Health Education Authority, 1997).
 
Mental Health is not all about being ill. Everything we do has an impact on our mental health. The role of mental health promotion is concerned with the whole of the population from cradle to grave.
 
The diverse range of activities such as tailored awareness training/raising for statutory, voluntary and community groups and the annual World Mental Health Day events all aim to reduce the ignorance and stigma so often associated with mental health problems and to promote the importance, benefits and ways of looking after our mental health.
 
For more information please contact Lee Loveless on - 023 92841560, or alternately email lee.loveless@portsmouthcc.gov.uk