Prevention Policy Summit
Background
Since December 2007, following publication of the report
Mental Health–A Public Health Approach:
Developing a Prevention-Oriented Mental Health System in Washington State
[
771KB], the Mental
Health Transformation Project (MHTP) has engaged key partners and community groups in discussions of 14 cross-cutting themes designed to promote the
benefits of a proactive and preventive approach to mental health policy in Washington State.
MHTP has requested all key partners, community representatives, and interested citizens to:
- Review the report
- Identify up to five of the cross-cutting themes that they feel are most critical to advancing a preventive approach to mental health in Washington State
- Identify two policy or implementation strategies that will work to make that theme most effective
A Preventive Approach to Mental Health
The report, the series of meetings, and the suggestions we have sought all work toward making the case for transformative change in how we think about and treat mental health policy, arguing that:
- Mental health promotion and mental illness prevention are attainable public policy goals
- Prevention-oriented mental health policy:
- Saves the system considerable expense
- Enhances quality of life for everyone
- Can integrate across age-specific populations to create efficiencies and maximize impact
- Builds on current successes
- Is transformative, consumer-informed, multidisciplinary, and science-based
Prevention Summit
At the Prevention Summit on May 13, 2008, we continued our work to help guide the state toward a system that promotes mental health, intervenes early, and addresses the devastating impacts of mental illness.
Results from the event are currently being analyzed and compiled. In the coming weeks, look for a report and an action plan for next steps.
