On this website, we may interchangeably use the terms mental health prevention and mental health promotion. However, it is worthwhile noting the formal definition of both and the subtle differences between them.
Mental health promotion is concerned with “achieving positive mental health and quality of life. It focuses upon enhancing the strengths, competencies and resources of individuals and communities, thereby promoting positive emotional and mental well-being and allowing for healthy development” (WHO, 2004). The underlying principle is that mental health is an integral part of overall health. Mental health promotion includes creating supportive, empowering environments and reducing stigmatisation (Barry & Jenkins, 2007).
In contrast, mental health prevention, aims to reduce the occurrence, frequency and severity of targeted mental health conditions (WHO, 2004). Preventive strategies are often broken down into primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.
- Primary prevention refers to preventing mental health problems before they start.
- Secondary prevention relates to supporting those at higher risk of experiencing mental health problems, due to them having known risk factors.
- Tertiary prevention refers to helping people living with mental health problems to stay well and prevent further distress.
Prevention strategies may be geared towards the general population (universal), populations carrying potential risk indicators (selective), or populations with prodromal syndromes (indicated) (WHO 2004). In practice, national guidelines, research and service targets often find common ground between primary prevention and mental health promotion.
