Mental Health Promotion Theory and Practice: Insights from a Literature Review

Abstract

This article reports on a literature review of interventions specifically identified as emanating from a mental health promotion (as opposed to prevention) paradigm. A number of recurring debates in the field were identified, including language and terminology, defining ‘mental health’, models of mental health promotion, the use of overgeneralised concepts, values, beliefs and assumptions implicit in mental health promotion interventions, and diversity in what gets called mental health promotion and who does mental health promotion. The paper concludes by highlighting key issues critical to the future development of mental health promotion: the implications of mental health promotion being at an embryonic stage of development, the need for greater reflexivity, the need for integration, and issues concerning professional identity and practice in the mental health promotion field.

Citation

Mauthner, N., Killoran‐Ross, M. and Brown, J. (1999), "Mental Health Promotion Theory and Practice: Insights from a Literature Review", Journal of Public Mental Health, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 37-42. https://doi.org/10.1108/17465729199900008