School Mental Health: Working Toward a Shared Framework An International Perspective Cheryl Vince Whitman President, Intercamhs Senior Vice President, EDC Director, WHO Collaborating Center November 5, 2009

Roots of Framework 1.Alma-Ata Declaration (1978); 2.Ottawa Charter (1986); 3.Health Promoting School (Global School Health Initiative 1995-present; 4.WHO Publications on Mental Health Promotion and Prevention of Disorders (2004)

Alma-Ata Declaration 1978 Existing gross inequality in the health status of the people particularly between developed and developing countries & within countries is politically, socially and economically Existing gross inequality in the health status of the people particularly between developed and developing countries & within countries is politically, socially and economically unacceptable and is, therefore, of common concern to all countries. unacceptable and is, therefore, of common concern to all countries.

Ottawa Charter 1986 Health is to be created where people live, love, learn, work and play. Health is to be created where people live, love, learn, work and play.

WHO’s Health Promoting School

WHO Publications on MH Promotion and Prevention of Disorders

WHO Definition of Mental Health A state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community (WHO 2001a,p.1)

Mental Health Promotion Creation of individual, social and environmental conditions that enable optimal psychological and psycho-physiological development.

Prevention Mental Disorders Aims to:  reduce the time spent with symptoms or the risk condition for a mental illness;  prevent or delay recurrences; and  decrease the impact of illness in the affected person, their families& society (Mrazek & Haggerty, 1994)

Conceptual Framework for Action Focus on social and economic determinants of mental health Focus on social and economic determinants of mental health Involve the full range of health promotion methodologies that work at the population and subpopulation levels Involve the full range of health promotion methodologies that work at the population and subpopulation levels Engage those working across sectors and settings Engage those working across sectors and settings

How do all these elements apply to a framework and language for schools and mental health?

Intercamhs’ Approach to Mental Health and Schools UNIVERSAL MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION (100%) SELECTIVE INTERVENTIONS (youth at-risk for MH problems) INDICATED INTERVENTIONS (20-30%) TREATMENT (3-12%)

Health Promoting : Mental Health

Elements of Framework Positive definition mental health; Positive definition mental health; Promotion and Prevention; Promotion and Prevention; Whole school approach; Whole school approach; Universal, selected, indicated Universal, selected, indicated Participation, diversity, inclusive. Participation, diversity, inclusive.

Elements of Framework Universal, selected and indicated; Universal, selected and indicated; Draws on evidence; Draws on evidence; Poverty and Social and economic factors as determinants; Poverty and Social and economic factors as determinants; Continuously assesses progress Continuously assesses progress

Contact Details Cheryl Vince Whitman President, Intercamhs Senior Vice President, EDC Director, WHO Collaborating Center Ph: EDC-Health and Human Development Division 55 Chapel Street, Newton, MA, USA