Mental Health Education and Promotion for a healthy mind

Dr Latha K

Volume 12 Issues 11 November, 2022 

Mental Health Promotion (MHP) involves strengthening the policy environment and using strategic communication for network building, stakeholder engagement, enhanced mental health literacy and behaviour change. The lack of mental health literacy and stigma associated with mental illness in our society is reflected in the public’s attitude. It explains the pressing need for the promotion of mental health.

Mental Health promotion interventions improve overall well-being and should be adapted to the local needs considering differing social, cultural, and economic systems. Some strategies include anti-stigma awareness campaigns, workplace mental health promotion, community mental health and suicide prevention programs. Through its unique mental health education and promotion activities, the Department of Mental Health Education, NIMHANS, is working towards reducing stigma, information gap and behaviour change. Some critical strategies adopted include Information Education and Communication (IEC) resources, training initiatives, active media engagement, learning resource centres, awareness campaigns, observation of health days and many more.

1. IEC Resources: IEC resources include audio-visual and print, such as posters, brochures, booklets, manuals, comic strips, flip books, pamphlets, and educational videos to improve mental health literacy. These resources can be accessed under the “Mind Space” section of the institute’s website and YouTube channel (@departmentofmentalhealthed499)      
2. Training initiatives: Training programs for the public, webinars, and Certificate courses for professionals are offered.
3. Active media engagement: Active media engagement through social media handles on Twitter (@mheduNIMHANS), Instagram (mhedunimhans), and Facebook (MHENIMHANS) with many followers and subscriptions and engage with the national and regional media houses for mental health promotion and responsible reporting on suicide.
4. Learning resource centre: The NIMHANS Arogya Jagruti Kendra at OPD block offers health education and resources for patients and caregivers.
5. Awareness campaigns: As part of observing mental health days of importance, awareness campaigns in person and even on social media are held public. The Mental Health Santhe campaign held in November 2022 was widely covered and appreciated.

Mental health education and promotion is the need of the hour and needs to be integrated into our health policy, planning and service delivery. As health professionals, we need to work together and have more dedicated facilities and professionals to achieve the “Mental health for All” goal.