Community development and mental health promotion

It is estimated that 450 million people are experiencing mental illness at any one time, most of whom live in developing countries and a great majority of them being women (World Health Organization, 2001). Mental illness affects one in four people at some stage during their lives. This paper based on a review of literature delineates the scope of community development in mental health promotion. To make more meaning relevant Australian references are utilised in this review essay. Mental illness is common in Australia with one in five Australians experiencing a mental illness at some stage in their lives, and many experiencing more than one mental illness at one time (Mindframe National Media Initiative, 2011). In this paper the authors review perspectives currently available for health promotion in social work in relation to mental health. The authors emphasise the importance of strength-based community development perspectives in mental health practice and an attempt is made to put forward an integrated model for, addressing mental health issues in a community context. The model looks at highlighting the need for developing and sustaining community spirit and promoting resilience in communities