scholarly journals Identifying Public Stakeholders Effective on Mental Health Promotion in Iran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behzad Damari ◽  
Mohammad Reza Amir Esmaili ◽  
noora rafiee ◽  
Ahmad Hajebi

Abstract Background: It is not always easy to put mental health on the agenda of sectors other than the health sector. However, it is now confirmed that mental health promotion policies need innovations beyond the scope of the health sector to be efficient. Thus, in this study, an attempt was made to identify the most effective stakeholders of the public sector in the field of mental health promotion in Iran to help the policy-makers of said sector and to encourage the inter-sectoral cooperation and further involvement of these effective sectors in mental health promotion plans.Methods: This was a mixed-methods study. From the data of the first step (literature review and a survey involving professors of relevant disciplines), the names of government agencies related to the domain of mental health were extracted. In the second step, a checklist was developed, the horizontal axis of which was the relevant organizations and the vertical axis was the social risk factors effective on mental health promotion. The data of this step were analyzed by the simple additive weighting method. In the final step, a table was plotted in the form of institutional mapping in order to summarize the organizations affecting each risk factor.Results: The Islamic Consultative Assembly, the Ministry of Interior, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, and the Ministry of Education were identified as five organizations with the greatest impacts on the social determinants of mental health promotion in Iran. Conclusions: Significant impacts can be exerted by institutions such as the Islamic Consultative Assembly (as the legislator), the Ministry of Interior and its subsidiary entities such as municipalities and governors (as the administrators of homeland security and support for safe and appropriate urban and local facilities), the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (as the national media), the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare (as the institution in charge of employment, job security, and social welfare), and the Ministry of Education (as the educational institution of the country).

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behzad Damari ◽  
Mohammad Reza Amir Esmaili ◽  
Noora Rafiee ◽  
Ahmad Hajebi

Abstract Background: It is not always easy to put mental health on the agenda of sectors other than the health sector. However, it is now confirmed that mental health promotion policies need innovations beyond the scope of the health sector to be efficient. Thus, in this study, an attempt was made to identify the most effective stakeholders of the public sector in the field of mental health promotion in Iran to help the policy-makers of said sector and to encourage the inter-sectoral cooperation and further involvement of these effective sectors in mental health promotion plans. Methods: This was a mixed-methods study. From the data of the first step (literature review and a survey involving professors of relevant disciplines), the names of government agencies related to the domain of mental health were extracted. In the second step, a checklist was developed, the horizontal axis of which was the relevant organizations and the vertical axis was the social risk factors effective on mental health promotion. The data of this step were analyzed by the simple additive weighting method. In the final step, a table was plotted in the form of institutional mapping in order to summarize the organizations affecting each risk factor. Results: The Islamic Consultative Assembly, the Ministry of Interior, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, and the Ministry of Education were identified as five organizations with the greatest impacts on the social determinants of mental health promotion in Iran. Conclusions: Significant impacts can be exerted by institutions such as the Islamic Consultative Assembly (as the legislator), the Ministry of Interior and its subsidiary entities such as municipalities and governors (as the administrators of homeland security and support for safe and appropriate urban and local facilities), the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (as the national media), the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare (as the institution in charge of employment, job security, and social welfare), and the Ministry of Education (as the educational institution of the country).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behzad Damari ◽  
Mohammad Reza Amir Esmaili ◽  
Noora Rafiee ◽  
Ahmad Hajebi

Abstract Background: Adding mental health to the agenda of other sectors is not always easy, but it is now confirmed that the mental health promotion policies need innovations beyond the health sector to be efficient. Thus, in this study, it has been attempted to identify the most effective stakeholders of the public sector in the field of mental health promotion in Iran to help the policymakers of health sector and to encourage the inter-sectoral cooperation and further involvement of these effective sectors with the mental health promotion plans.Methods: This study was a mixed-methods. From the data of the first step (literature review and survey of relevant professors), the names of government agencies in the mental health were extracted. In the second step, a checklist was developed, the horizontal axis of which was the relevant organizations and the vertical axis was the effective social risk factors on the mental health promotion. In order to analyze the data of this step, the Simple Additive Weighting method was used. In the last step, in order to summarize the organizations affecting each risk factor, a table was plotted as institutional mapping.Results: The Islamic Consultative Assembly, the Ministry of Interior, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, and the Ministry of Education were identified as 5 organizations with the greatest impacts on the social determinants affecting the mental health promotion.Conclusions: The impact of institutions such as Islamic Consultative Assembly (as legislator), the Ministry of Interior and its subsidiary entities such as municipalities and governors (as the administrators of homeland security and support for safe and appropriate urban and local facilities), the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (as the national media), the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare (as the administration of employment, job security and the provision of welfare to community members), and the Ministry of Education (as the educational institution of the society) are significant.


2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-120
Author(s):  
Nina Tamminen ◽  
Pia Solin ◽  
Eija Stengård ◽  
Lasse Kannas ◽  
Tarja Kettunen

Aims: In this study, we aimed to investigate what competencies are needed for mental health promotion in health sector practice in Finland. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out to seek the views of mental health professionals regarding mental health promotion-related competencies. The data were collected via two focus groups and a questionnaire survey of professionals working in the health sector in Finland. The focus groups consisted of a total of 13 professionals. Further, 20 questionnaires were received from the questionnaire survey. The data were analysed using the qualitative data analysis software ATLAS.ti Scientific Software Development GmbH, Berlin. A content analysis was carried out. Results: In total, 23 competencies were identified and clustered under the categories of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and personal attitudes and values. In order to promote mental health, it is necessary to have a knowledge of the principles and concepts of mental health promotion, including methods and tools for effective practices. Furthermore, a variety of skills-based competencies such as communication and collaboration skills were described. Personal attitudes and values included a holistic approach and respect for human rights, among others. Conclusions: The study provides new information on what competencies are needed to plan, implement and evaluate mental health promotion in health sector practice, with the aim of contributing to a more effective workforce. The competencies provide aid in planning training programmes and qualifications, as well as job descriptions and roles in health sector workplaces related to mental health promotion.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristi Calder ◽  
Lucy D’Aeth ◽  
Sue Turner ◽  
Annabel Begg ◽  
Ekant Veer ◽  
...  

Summary The All Right? campaign was developed as a mental health promotion campaign following the 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquakes. One aspect of the overall campaign was the utilisation of social media as a means of promoting wellbeing messages. This research evaluates the use of the All Right? Facebook page as a means of promoting wellbeing after a major natural disaster. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to gather data about the social media component of the All Right? campaign. Findings indicate that the All Right? Facebook page has become a valued source of consistent wellbeing tips and advice -‘the place that I go’. Wellbeing reminders posted on the page were especially valued following earthquake aftershocks. High proportions of respondents to a survey (n = 212) linked from the All Right? Facebook page agreed that the page was helpful (98%), gave people ideas of things that they can do to help themselves (96%), and made people think about their wellbeing (93%). Over four fifths (85%) of respondents had done activities as a result of what they saw on the All Right? Facebook page. Success factors for the Facebook page often mirrored those for the campaign itself, including: local research to inform the use of appropriate language for translating evidence-based wellbeing messages into a local setting; not being marketed as a government message; and effectively combining public health and communications expertise. Success factors specific to the Facebook page included: regular posts with a focus on issues that affect everyone in Canterbury post-disaster; timely posts, especially immediately following aftershocks; a consistent tone for the All Right? Facebook page; and balancing wellbeing facts and tips with other content that was relevant to the Canterbury population. The overall success of the All Right? Facebook page was reliant on being part of a trusted population-wide mental health promotion campaign.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 297-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Tamminen ◽  
Pia Solin ◽  
Lasse Kannas ◽  
Hannu Linturi ◽  
Eija Stengård ◽  
...  

Purpose Effective public mental health policy and practice call for a trained workforce that is competent in mental health promotion and delivering on improved mental health. Systematic information on what competencies are needed for mental health promotion practice in the health sector is lacking. The purpose of this paper is to investigate these competencies for mental health promotion. Design/methodology/approach A Delphi survey was carried out to facilitate a consensus-building process on development of the competencies. Professionals (n=32) working in mental health and mental health promotion took part in the survey. The experts were asked their professional views on the needed competencies as well as to rank the importance of the competencies. Two questionnaire rounds were carried out in order to reach consensus. Findings In total, 16 main competencies and 56 subcompetencies were identified through the Delphi survey. The competencies were divided into three category domains: theoretical knowledge, practical skills and attitudes and values each category representing an important aspect of mental health promotion competency. Practical implications The competencies provide a resource for workforce development, as they illustrate what theoretical knowledge, practical skills and attitudes and values are required. They provide an instrument to enhance education and training programmes in mental health promotion contributing to a more skilled workforce and improved quality of practice as well. Originality/value A strong consensus was reached within the participating experts, them viewing all competencies as important. The identified competencies highlight the great variety of different competencies and competency areas that are needed for effective mental health promotion practice in the health sector.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Jenkins ◽  
Rebecca Haines-Saah ◽  
Liza McGuinness ◽  
Saima Hirani ◽  
Noah Boakye-Yiadom ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Mental health challenges are a leading health concern for youth globally, requiring a comprehensive approach incorporating promotion, prevention and treatment within a healthy public policy framework. However, the broad enactment of this vision has yet to be realized. Further, mental health promotion evidence specific to youth is still emerging and has not yet focused at a policy level. This is a critical gap, as policy is a key mental health promotion lever that can alter the social and structural conditions that contribute to shaping youth mental health outcomes for all youth, across the full spectrum of need. Responsive to this research and intervention priority, our prototype study intervention – the Agenda Gap – is comprised of an innovative, multi-media engagement intervention, developed in collaboration with youth. This intervention aims to equip youth and build capacity for them to lead meaningful policy change reflective of the mental health needs of diverse communities of youth, including those who experience structural vulnerability and who would not typically have had their voice represented in policymaking processes. Methods: This study will use a multiple case study design and mixed methods grounded in a realist approach and will be conducted in three sites across two Canadian provinces (British Columbia and Alberta). In an earlier phase of this research, we collaboratively designed the prototype intervention with youth, community and policy partners. In this phase of the study, the intervention will be implemented and further tested with new groups of youth collaborators (n=10-15/site). Outcome data will be collected through realist qualitative interviews, validated questionnaires (i.e., Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-12), General Self-Efficacy (GSE) Scale, and the Critical Consiousness Scale (CCS)) and additional survey items developed by our study team. Analysis will focus on identification of key context-mechanism-outcome configurations to provide comprehensive insights into how this intervention works, for whom, and in what context. Discussion: This study is unique in its “upstream” focus on youth-engaged policymaking as a tool for improving the social and structural conditions that influence youth mental health across socioecological levels. Through the implementation and testing of the Agenda Gap intervention with diverse youth, this study will contribute to the evidence base on youth-engaged policymaking as a novel and innovative, mental health promotion strategy.


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