It is time for a "dramatic rethink" on mental health with more emphasis on mental well-being rather than mental illness, the Minister of State for Health said yesterday.
Seán Power said society tended to focus on mental illness, "a term that perpetuates fear, stigma, denial and reactive public policy".
Research had proven that promoting positive mental health in schools led to improvements in educational attainment and reduced risk of anti-social behaviour, Mr Power said. "I personally believe that access to exercise, sport and the arts improve people's mental health."
He said promotion would be a core part of the Government's mental health policy to be published this autumn.
Mr Power was speaking in Dublin Castle yesterday at the first all-island conference on mental health promotion, in collaboration with England, Scotland and Wales.
The Global Consortium for the Advancement of Prevention and Promotion in Mental Health was launched at the conference.
It includes bodies such as the WHO and the World Federation of Mental Health.The conference continues today.
