The “PsychoŻak” program – an example of using positive concepts of mental health in practice

For years experts have been advocating the need to develop an individual's health potential, which enables him/her to maintain health and improve his/her effective functioning in difficult situations. A number of positive mental health models have been created, among others: the functional model of mental health, the complete state model of health, the salutogenic model and the model of psychological well-being. They cover both optimal and unfavorable aspects of human functioning. The article presents an authorial program for mental health promotion - "PsychoŻak", which is based on the positive concepts of mental health, a review of empirical reports concerning health promotion and on the target group's expectations. The program is addressed to young adults studying at universities as well as final-year secondary school students. Its aim is to strengthen students' psychological, emotional, somatic, and social well-being. It can be used by higher education institutions and thus be a tool satisfying the demand for mental health promotion at universities.