[Mental health promotion and prevention of mental diseases: are there population-based concepts? Looking abroad].

BACKGROUND

The rising public health relevance of mental health requires increased activities in the field of mental health promotion and prevention. In recent times interest in this sphere increases in Germany.

OBJECTIVE

Which kinds of population-based mental health promotion programmes and prevention approaches are internationally available? What can be learned from their example?

METHOD

Systematic search of the Internet and literature databases. Analysis and comparison of the available mental health promotion and prevention concepts with regard to targets, sub-targets, target groups, protagonists, settings, outcome indicators and evidence management.

RESULTS

Concepts for mental health promotion and prevention programmes exist in England, Australia, the European Union and in Quebec, Canada. The concepts show similarities such as choosing similar settings like work place and schools or similar target groups like caretakers or adults in particular challenging life circumstances.

CONCLUSIONS

Concepts for population-based mental health promotion and prevention have been created in some countries. For developing such programmes in Germany one should refer to internationally available experience as well as to own gathered experiences as to own expressions gathered pilot projects and the German Health Target Programme.