2.4 Describe key aspects of a local, national or international strategy to promote mental well-being and mental health within a group or community

This guide will help you answer 2.4 Describe key aspects of a local, national or international strategy to promote mental well-being and mental health within a group or community.

Promoting mental well-being and mental health is a top priority in health and social care. Strategies can come from local, national or international sources. Each strategy aims to support individuals and groups to stay mentally healthy, prevent mental illness, and help people recover. Understanding these strategies helps you do your job better and support your community.

In this guide, we use the example “No Health Without Mental Health” (2011).

What Is a Mental Health Promotion Strategy?

A mental health promotion strategy is a formal plan set out by a government or organisation. It provides aims, guiding principles, practical actions, and policies to improve mental well-being. The strategy sets out what needs to happen, why it is important, and who will be responsible.

Mental health promotion shifts the focus from just treating mental illness to actively supporting well-being, resilience and recovery.

Example Focus: No Health Without Mental Health

“No Health Without Mental Health” is England’s cross-government mental health outcomes strategy for all ages. Its purpose is to give equal value to mental and physical health. It envisions a society that prevents mental health problems, supports recovery, and challenges stigma.

Vision and Overarching Aim

The strategy has a simple vision:

Everyone living in England has the opportunity to live mentally healthy lives, to flourish, and to access good quality support when needed.

This vision puts prevention, early intervention, and reduced inequalities at the core.

Six Key Outcomes

The strategy is structured around six key outcomes. Each outcome acts as a pillar. Here are the six key outcomes:

More people will have better well-being.
More people with mental health problems will recover.
More people with mental health problems will have good physical health.
More people will have a positive experience of care and support.
Fewer people will suffer avoidable harm.
Fewer people will experience stigma and discrimination.

Let’s look at these outcomes one by one and highlight their importance.

Outcome 1: More People Will Have Better Well-being

This outcome puts prevention at the centre. It means helping people to feel well, cope with life, and manage ups and downs. This involves teaching skills such as resilience, self-awareness, and problem-solving.

Methods include:

Public health campaigns
School-based programmes to help young people manage stress
Support in workplaces for better work-life balance
Accessible advice and information
Community groups offering support and connection

Better well-being stops problems getting worse. It supports independence and confidence.

Outcome 2: More People With Mental Health Problems Will Recover

Here, recovery is viewed as regaining control and leading a rewarding life. Recovery is different for each person. Some may recover fully; others may learn how to live well with ongoing symptoms.

Key features:

Individual support plans
Access to talking therapies (like counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy)
Personalised services, not “one-size-fits-all”
Peer mentors or support workers
Focus on strengths, not just problems

Making recovery a goal means services do not just manage symptoms but help people lead the lives they want.

Outcome 3: More People With Mental Health Problems Will Have Good Physical Health

People with mental health problems often have worse physical health and live shorter lives. There is a close link between mental and physical health.

Key aspects:

Annual physical health checks in mental health services
Healthy lifestyle advice (e.g. quitting smoking, exercise, balanced diet)
Training for staff to spot early signs of physical illness
Offering screening and immunisations in mental health settings

Everyone deserves good health, no matter where the problem starts.

Outcome 4: More People Will Have a Positive Experience of Care and Support

Being treated with kindness, respect, dignity, and having choice are central to this outcome.

Approaches include:

Involving people in decisions about their care plan
Listening to individual needs and wishes
Regular feedback from service users to improve services
Training for staff in communication skills and person-centred care

A good experience helps people make the most of support and encourages them to seek help early.

Outcome 5: Fewer People Will Suffer Avoidable Harm

Avoidable harm covers things like side effects from medication, unsafe environments, or being neglected by services.

Reducing harm includes:

Staff training in how to recognise and report abuse or poor practice
Strong safeguarding procedures
Safe and suitable environments
Managing medication properly
Learning from incidents to improve services

Preventing harm builds trust and keeps people safe.

Outcome 6: Fewer People Will Experience Stigma and Discrimination

Stigma means negative attitudes or beliefs about mental health. Discrimination means being treated unfairly due to mental health.

This outcome focuses on:

Public campaigns like Time to Change to challenge stereotypes
Promoting open discussion about mental health
Legislation protecting people’s rights (e.g. Equality Act 2010)
Promoting positive stories of people living well with mental health issues

Tackling stigma helps people feel valued and able to speak openly.

Core Principles in Mental Health Strategies

Behind these outcomes are principles that shape how strategies work in practice. Here are the key principles from the strategy and what they mean.

Whole-Population Approach

This means everyone should have access to support, not just those already using mental health services. The strategy includes children, adults, older people and people from diverse backgrounds.

Early Intervention

Acting early prevents things getting worse. This could be early support in schools, workplaces, or GP surgeries.

Parity of Esteem

This term means mental health is treated as important as physical health.

Partnership Working

Services join up to give better support. This includes NHS, local authorities, charities, schools, police, employers and community groups.

Reduced Inequality

The strategy recognises that some groups are more likely to face mental health problems, including those living in poverty or facing discrimination. It seeks to provide fair access and targeted support.

Use of Evidence

Decisions and actions should be based on what research shows is effective.

The Role of Local Strategies

Local authorities use the national strategy to shape services for their communities. This may take the form of a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). Local strategies are often detailed action plans developed by local councils and NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups.

Key aspects include:

Mapping out community needs
Listening to people with lived experience
Developing local services to match needs, such as crisis teams or drop-in centres
Coordinating with housing, employment and education services

Local partnerships might focus on particular issues affecting their community, such as suicide rates among young men, or support for people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

International Strategies: WHO Mental Health Action Plan

At a higher level, the World Health Organization (WHO) leads international efforts. One example is the “WHO Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 (extended to 2030)”. This global plan encourages countries to prioritise mental health.

Key objectives include:

Strengthen effective leadership for mental health
Offer mental health and social care in community settings
Implement strategies for promotion and prevention
Improve research, information, and evidence

WHO encourages countries to share learning and support each other.

How Strategies Are Put into Action

Strategies are not just words on paper. They come to life through concrete actions.

Public Awareness

National and local campaigns spread knowledge and break down misconceptions. An example is the ‘Every Mind Matters’ campaign in England, which provides simple tips and resources to improve mental well-being.

Training the Workforce

Ongoing training for staff helps them identify early warning signs, respond sensitively, and refer people to the right services.

Examples of relevant training:

Mental Health First Aid
Safeguarding vulnerable adults and children
Working with people with complex needs

Community Support

Community groups and services play a big part. Activities could include support groups, befriending services, practical help, and peer-led workshops.

Involving People With Lived Experience

“Hearing the voice” of people with direct experience of mental health issues adds quality to planning and care. This can be through forums, user-led evaluations, or advisory panels.

Policies and Standards

Organisations set policies to guide how staff support people. These spell out procedures for consent, confidentiality, risk assessment, and responding to concerns.

Data Collection and Review

Collecting information about who is using services, what outcomes are being achieved, and feedback from service users helps to refine and improve services over time.

Barriers and Challenges

Every strategy faces challenges.

Common barriers:

Stigma in society or within organisations
Funding cuts or budget issues
Shortage of trained staff
Inconsistent implementation between regions
Gaps in access for minority or rural groups

Strategies often include goals for monitoring and responding to these challenges.

Examples in Practice

To make this clearer, here are short examples of how a strategy might work in a group or community setting.

Schools

A local council works with schools to roll out resilience workshops. These build confidence and teach problem-solving. School counsellors receive training in spotting early signs of anxiety or depression. Referral pathways are agreed with local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Workplaces

A national campaign promotes “Time to Talk Day”. Employers are encouraged to train managers in mental health awareness. Workplaces offer flexible hours or mental health days. Staff share resources promoting work-life balance.

Minority Communities

Local health services host mental health drop-ins at community centres used by minority ethnic groups. Information is provided in different languages. Peer mentors from the same background offer support.

Older Adults

Community teams offer weekly “friendship circles” for those living alone. Local GPs receive training to spot depression or dementia early. Home visits ensure no one is missed.

Final Thoughts

To describe key aspects of a mental health promotion strategy, focus on its aims, outcomes, guiding principles, and how it is put into practice. “No Health Without Mental Health” uses a clear, outcome-based approach. It focuses on prevention, early help, respect, reducing harm, tackling stigma, and joining up services. Local adaptations and international plans like the WHO’s provide guidance shaped to fit communities. By following these frameworks, health and social care workers play a huge part in promoting well-being for all.