Adopting a Systems-Level Population Health Approach to Support Youth Mental Well-Being (SCAP Keynote)

Learning Objectives

1. Identify key social and structural determinants of youth mental health and how a systems approach can support youth mental health;
2. Learn about positive childhood experiences that are protective and promotive factors for youth mental health; and
3. Describe the dual continuua of mental health and generate ideas of how a mental well-being focus can suppoof your practice.

Literature References

1. Mantoura, P. (2022). The Roles of Public Health in Population Mental Health and Wellness Promotion–Guidance Report. National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy. https://ccnpps-ncchpp.ca/the-roles-of-publichealth-in-population-mental-health-and-wellness-promotion/.

2. Patel, V., Saxena, S., Lund, C., Kohrt, B., Kieling, C., Sunkel, C., Kola, L., Chang, O., Charlton, F., O’Neill K., & Herrman, H. (2023). Transforming mental health systems globally: principles and policy recommendations. The Lancet, 402(10402), 656-666.

3. Campion, J. (2019). Public mental health: Evidence, practice and commissioning. Royal Society for Public Health. https://www.rsph.org.uk/static/uploaded/b215d040-2753-410e-a39eb30ad3c8b708.pdf.

4. International Union for Health Promotion and Education. (2021). Critical Actions for Mental Health Promotion. Paris: IUHPE.

5. Fazel M, Soneson E. Current evidence and opportunities in child and adolescent public mental health: a research review. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2023 Dec;64(12):1699-1719

6. Mantoura, P. (2014). Defining a population mental health framework for public health. Montréal, Québec: National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy.

7. Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2009). Toward Recovery & Well-Being: A Framework for a Mental-Health Strategy for Canada. https://doi.org/10.1037/e504202013-001

Abstract

'Public mental health’ is an emerging public health field that has been described as “the art, science and politics of creating a mentally healthy society,” concerned with promoting and enhancing MH, preventing MH problems, as well as improving opportunities for recovery and quality of life (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2014; Fazel et al. 2023); Patel et al., 2023; Campion, 2019; International Union for Health Promotion and Education, 2021). Key public mental health activities include monitoring and assessing the health needs of a population; evaluating evidence for effective community-based programs, developing, testing, and implementing evidence-based interventions in mental illness prevention and mental health promotion; and advocacy and collaboration with partners, including the development of comprehensive mental health strategies across systems (National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy, 2014; Mantoura, 2022). This talk will consider how and whether public mental health systems can help alleviate the strain on our mental healthcare systems. We will also explore how social and structural factors impact youth mental health and well-being and how positive childhood experiences can be supportive.