What is the main purpose of mental health promotion?

The primary purpose of mental health promotion is to enhance public awareness of mental health issues. This approach focuses on increasing understanding and knowledge about mental health, aiming to prevent mental health problems and improve the overall well-being of individuals and communities. By fostering awareness, mental health promotion encourages individuals to seek help when needed, reduces stigma surrounding mental health, and promotes healthier lifestyles and positive coping mechanisms.

Focusing on awareness helps to create an environment where mental health is prioritized, making it easier for people to access resources and support. Although diagnosing disorders, developing treatment plans, and providing rehabilitation services are crucial aspects of mental health care, they serve different functions within the broader context of mental health. Mental health promotion is primarily concerned with proactive education and prevention rather than the reactive measures involved in treatment and rehabilitation.