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Strategies for bridging sectors and silos: a training model in mental health promotion
Author(s) -
Verins Irene,
Marshall Bernie,
Keating Clare
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he07260
Subject(s) - mental health , public relations , capacity building , workforce , health promotion , recreation , population health , promotion (chess) , medicine , psychology , public health , business , nursing , economic growth , political science , psychiatry , economics , politics , law
Issue addressed The determinants of individual and community mental health and well‐being are diverse and many lie outside the sphere of action of the health sector. Developing the confidence and skills of these other sectors to contribute to improved mental health has been identified as a priority at State and national levels that requires the development of specific workforce capacity‐building strategies. Methods VicHealth developed and implemented a two‐day short course to raise the capacity of organisations from a range of sectors to contribute to the mental health and well‐being of communities. The model of this short course was constructed to reflect the diverse sectors targeted, which included health, local government, community arts, sport and recreation, justice, and education. Results Evaluation of the two‐year pilot program, with more than 1,000 participants, has identified a high degree of satisfaction with the content and delivery model of the course, with clear changes in knowledge, skills and practice having been achieved. Cross‐sector understanding and collaborations between participants increased as a result of the course. Conclusions Continuing demand for the course demonstrates clearly that mental health and well‐being is relevant to the core business of a broad range of community and professional organisations. The course has increased the confidence and capacity of these sector representatives to take action on mental health as well as increased cross‐sector dialogue and partnerships. The recruitment of trainers from diverse sectors was successful in promoting a key component of the program, which was the message that mental health promotion should be the business of all sectors. So what? VicHealth's short course is an innovative and timely program that contributes to increasing the capacity of different sectors to take action to promote mental health and well‐being.