Editorial

Citation

Caan, W. (2012), "Editorial", Journal of Public Mental Health, Vol. 11 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/jpmh.2012.55611daa.001

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Journal of Public Mental Health, Volume 11, Issue 4

A strength of our journal is our wide range of international contributors and our final edition of 2012 is no exception with papers from Australia, USA, Ireland and the UK. We also include an article focusing upon mental health in lower income countries. Our readers value this diversity and the sharing of experiences and learning. The papers in this edition each provide systematic thinking and analysis to inform social action and programmes that can make a practical difference for communities and practitioners. The central themes that emerge throughout the papers are the importance of effective communication for population level interventions, and the importance of retaining an equalities focus in public mental health.

Our opening article by Michelle Funk from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and colleagues reviews the evidence base in relation to mental health, poverty and development. Their analysis concludes with a call to support the recommendations of the WHO’s (2010) report on Mental Health and Development, which stresses the need to adopt a human rights perspective in mental health, and the need to integrate mental health into wider poverty and equalities programmes. The timing is not coincidental, as it follows on from the launch of WHO (2012) Quality Rights. This project works to unite and empower people to improve the quality of care and promote human rights in mental health and social care facilities. As a journal we are committed to social justice and are delighted, therefore, to announce that we are working in partnership with the Mental Health Policy and Service Development team at WHO to produce a special edition for 2013 focusing upon human rights and mental health. On the next page we have full details of the call for papers.

Our next paper, by Julia Anwar-McHenry and colleagues at Curtin University is an evaluation of Act-Belong-Commit, an Australian community-based positive mental health promotion campaign. This is an important paper in international terms. Whereas there are numerous studies of the impact of large-scale campaigns in relation to mental illness (Corrigan, 2011; Jorm, 2000), this is not the case for positive mental health and well-being. Their focus upon behaviour change is also significant. Brenda Joly and her colleagues at The University of Southern Maine examine the effectiveness of community outreach and campaigns in a multi-site study in the USA. They use a range of data sources to examine the effectiveness of an early detection and prevention programme for people with psychosis. They conclude that there is evidence that interventions can enhance the willingness of professionals and community members to refer someone for help. Early intervention improves outcomes and this paper makes a contribution to the field of early intervention championed by McGorry et al. (2005). Our fourth paper is by Karyn Morrissey from Liverpool University with colleagues in the UK and Ireland. Their analysis of population data suggest that people living in rural areas have a higher chance of being admitted to a psychiatric hospital for schizophrenia and depression than people living in urban areas. The authors explore some of the complex reasons that may account for this and it is an important paper for researchers, planners and commissioners. Our final paper takes a very different approach, moving from a population focus to an in depth study of an innovative programme. “Sweet Mother” evaluates a mental health and well-being initiative developed for asylum-seeking mothers and their babies in Liverpool. Mothers were involved at every stage of the evaluation using qualitative and quantitative measures and this action research makes a valuable contribution to this neglected group.

Woody Caan

Call for papers Special edition in partnership with the World Health Organisation

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently launched Quality Rights project and toolkit, part of WHO’s global campaign to improve care and halt human rights violations against people with mental health conditions. In their recent launch, speakers with a wide range of experiences – from the world of Hollywood to the urban slums of India – provided their personal insight and perspectives on the dire situation faced by millions of people with mental health conditions around the world, and on how WHO Quality Rights breaks new ground in the drive to raise human rights and quality standards in mental health and social care. As a journal concerned with social justice and with evidence that makes a practical difference on the ground, we are delighted to announce a special edition for 2013 on mental health and human rights in partnership with the WHO Mental Health Policy and Service Development Team. Submissions are welcome on the theme of human rights and mental health from academics, practitioners and community activists and can be research articles, reviews, evaluations or short case studies. We particularly welcome contributions form academics and practitioners from resource-scare countries.

The deadline for submissions is 31 March 2013 and submission should be through the online system and mark the paper with “WHO” before the title. Informal enquiries can be addressed to Lee Knifton at: Leeknifton@gmail.com. Further information about Quality Rights, including videos of speakers and resources, at: www.who.int/mental_health/policy/quality_rights/qrs_tool_kit_launch/en/index.html