ABCs of mental health promotion in a world of turmoil

Brief outline of workshop
COVID-19 , natural disasters and protracted conflicts have taken a toll on mental well-being. The Act Belong Commit™ evidence-based campaign is a public health strategy to protect and promote mental well-being .

This workshop will engage participants in a journey outlining how the successful Western Australian Act Belong Commit™ social marketing campaign, first launched in 2008, has been replicated and adapted in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands. Presentations by each country’s team, will show how the campaign has evolved to transcend cultural, environmental, and target audience differences.

The campaign encourages individuals and organisations to engage in activities that strengthen mental well-being: Act, be physically, mentally, socially, spiritually, culturally active; Belong, connect with others through activities that promote mental wellbeing; Commit, to meaningful or personally challenging activities such as volunteering or setting personal goals.

In the Nordic countries the campaign is called the ABCs of Mental Health, and is tailored to the cultural context and settings in each country. Each partner will describe their approach, giving examples of its application to specific populations. This is the first time all ABC countries have been brought together to share key learnings. Workshop attendees will participate in the face-to-face panel discussion that explores how to undertake mental health promotion in a world of turmoil.

Specific aims/objectives and components
The workshop aim is to showcase the Act Belong Commit / ABC framework and how it assists countries and organisations to promote mental well-being, in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goal #3, Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote Well-being for all at all ages and the WFPHA’s Global Charter for the Public's Health objectives.
Key questions the workshop will address
• What protective behaviours promote mental well-being?
• Do mentally healthy activities translate across cultures, settings, and age-groups?
• How can partnerships build environments that promote mental well-being?