Youth Mental Health Promotion

Youth mental health promotion can be seen as the process of enhancing an approach to increase both the individual's, and the community's capacity to improve youth mental health - using strategies that foster supportive environments and individual resilience. "The concept of mental health promotion recognizes that people's mental health is inextricably linked to their relationship with others, environment and lifestyle factors, and the degree of power that they have over their lives" (Canadian Mental Health Association, 1999). This would suggest that in order to increase the mental health wellness of the youth population, not only do we target the youth, but the entire community itself. "It is our responsibility to work with youth to find ways to maintain, enhance and improve their health. Not only do our approaches have to move with the times and the changing society, but also with the attitudes and perceived needs of and by our youth" (Hanvey et al. 1994). Essentially, youth are viewed as primary partners in maintaining and embracing their health and well-being.

By : Rojesh