Mental health promotion works: A review.

Abstract

Positive mental health is a value in its own right; it contributes to the individual¿s well-being and quality of life; and also contributes to society and the economy by increasing social functioning and social capital. Positive mental health refers to human qualities and life skills such as cognitive functioning, positive self-esteem, social and problem solving skills, the ability to manage major changes and stresses in life and to influence the social environment, the ability to work productively and fruitfully and to make contributions to the community, and a state of emotional, spiritual and mental well-being (Hosman, 1997; WHO, 2001). Mental health is an integral part of overall health and well-being and in a broad sense, reflects the equilibrium between the individual and the environment (Lethinen et al., in press).