Mental Health Promotion and Young People

TThe World Health Organization estimates that by 2020 depression will be a leading cause of morbidity globally. Coupled with figures that place suicide as one of Australia's major causes of death in young people, the need for a workable, effective mental health promotion strategy for this section of the population has never been more topical and crucial.

Mental health promotion is an area that has not, until now, been clearly conceptualised-often ill defined, poorly implemented, and lacking in relevant, informative literature. Mental Health Promotion and Young People is a timely, incisive text that examines the emerging principles and recent practice of mental health promotion in relation to young people. It looks to dispel the confusion, explore the current debates, and clarify the concepts. Shaped by the action areas of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, the book presents successful cases and approaches that address working with the individual through to policy development.

The book draws on the knowledge and experience of 35 of Australia's leading professionals and health promotion practitioners in mental health. This insightful reference is essential reading for all those working in the complex area of mental health, from clinicians through to administrators and policy makers of mental health programs, with particular relevance to practitioners working in youth projects.