Mental health and wellbeing
What is mental health?
Mental health is not merely the absence of mental illness. It is the embodiment of social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. It is fundamental to physical health, productivity in the workplace, school, family and overall quality of life. Mental health provides individuals with the vitality necessary for active living, to achieve goals and to interact with one another in ways that are respectful and just.
VicHealth's approach to promoting mental health
Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Plan for Action provides a comprehensive framework for VicHealth’s approach to mental health promotion. We focus on three key themes for action based on social and economic factors that influence mental health and wellbeing: social inclusion; freedom from discrimination and violence; and access to economic resources. As these influences on mental health lie outside of the health system, partnerships with individuals and organisations from other sectors, such as housing, employment, sport and recreation, education and income security are pivotal to effective mental health promotion.
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Funding opportunities
We have a number of schemes that make funding available to community-based groups working to promote mental health and wellbeing. Funding rounds become active at various times throughout the year. You can subscribe to receive regular updates.
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Publications and resources
In this section you’ll find a range of publications and resources (including video/DVD) on mental health promotion and the three determinants of mental health and wellbeing, developed by VicHealth. You’ll also find articles and reference material by others.
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Community awareness campaign
VicHealth ran the Together We Do Better campaign from 2001 to 2004. The website is full of ideas and resources for people interested in their own mental health and wellbeing and that of the community.
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Workforce development
Mental health promotion is a relatively new field of work. The concepts underpinning the practice are not widely known. To address the gaps in knowledge, VicHealth has developed a short course suitable for people from a wide range of community sectors.
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Current research and major projects
VicHealth is committed to public health research and evidence-based activity that explores and extends our knowledge of the influence of social connection, discrimination, violence and economic participation on mental health and wellbeing.