The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) is today [Wednesday 15 June] publishing a ground-breaking report about public mental health, which makes the case for improving mental health for everyone and preventing mental health problems.

“Better Mental Health For All: a public health approach to mental health improvement” is the work of the FPH’s Mental Health Committee in conjunction with the Mental Health Foundation. Public Health England supported the project financially, which enabled the FPH to commission the Mental Health Foundation’s involvement and support for production.

Report - Better Mental Health For All A public health approach to mental health improvement

Report – Better Mental Health For All
A public health approach to mental health improvement

Professor John Ashton, President of FPH, said: “Mental illness affects everyone – either through our own experience, or our family and friends. Mental, emotional or psychological problems account for more disability than all physical health problems put together. There can be no health without mental health.”

This report focuses on what can be done individually and collectively to enhance the mental health of individuals, families and communities by using a public health approach. It is intended as a resource for public health practitioners to support the development of knowledge and skills in public mental health.

  • Section one – maps out why mental health is an important and often overlooked aspect of overall health.
  • Section two – outlines the risk and protective factors through the life course and across communities.
  • Section three – addresses approaches and interventions to improve mental healthat different stages of the life course and in different settings.
  • Section four – offers a practical guide to enable practitioners to support their own mental wellbeing.

The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) in partnership with the Royal College of Nursing will be heading to the south coast in 2016 for its annual conference. ‘Public health in a cold climate: melting hearts and minds with evidence’ will be held on 14-15 June at the Brighton Centre, Brighton.

Globally a chill economic wind continues to blow. So, as a public health community, we have an ever greater responsibility to implement the systems, policies and services that are as cost-effective and efficient as possible. The FPH 2016 conference in Brighton is the opportunity to share the latest evidence, explore new ideas and ensure that current practice is the most effective we can deliver.

This year they are featuring the importance of nurses to public health, to that end FPH is trying to attract nurses to the event and have put together a 2 for 1 offer for nurses which will make it a more affordable event.

Come along to the iHV stand at FPH 2016 to see latest resources available from the Institute and to meet some of our staff.