Editorial
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/17465729199900009 |
| Date | 01 February 1999 |
| Published date | 01 February 1999 |
| Pages | 2-3 |
| Author | Michael Murray |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
2International Journal of Mental Health Promotion VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2 • APRIL 1999 © Pavilion Publishing (Brighton) Limited.
The real magic of discovery lies not in seeking new landscapes but in having new
eyes
Marcel Proust
Sitting here, in the Centre for Mental Health Promotion and Research, I am
surrounded by a wide variety of research articles, journals, programmes and books
on the subject of mental health promotion and the prevention of mental disorders.
Such learned colleagues as Albee, Price,Kellan, Muñoz, Altman, Green and
Kreuter are just a few of those who share this little haven in the middle of the busy
campus at the University of Central England in Birmingham. And yet,although we
all appreciate that there is a wealth of knowledge to support the need for preven-
tion and promotion strategies, much of this research still remains outside the
political and social agenda of those in positions of authority.
Imention this because, as the Journal begins to move from the early stages of
development, it is important to remember what Confucius said all those years ago:
‘For one who has no objectives, nothing is relevant’.
The objective of the Journal is, of course, as our Editorial Statement emphasises:
‘to nurture and encoura ge understanding and collaboration in the field of
mental health promotion (and the prevention of mental disorders) within a truly
multi-disciplinary forum’.
The question we must now ask ourselves is ‘How do we proceed?’. Armed with
comments and advice provided by colleagues from across the globe, together with
the hindsight gleamed through editing earlier issues, I feel it prudent to share some
thoughts on the future direction of the Journal with both readers and prospective
contributors.
It is now proposed that:
1In each issue of the Journal there will be a keynote article written by an invited
and internationally recognised leader
in the field. Two commentaries will critique the article.
2Specificsections will be designated to include:
■
Evidence-based reports: evidence-based articles, which illustrate that
promotion/prevention projects can be empirically evaluated through
randomised trials.
■
Theory and practice: examples of good work that should be showcased
even though they do not include evaluation components, practitioners
being the ones who develop the field which can then be subjected to
formal testing by researchers. This section will also include the more
theoretical/reflective pieces.
3Theme editions will appear in one issue per year.The range of topics will
include:
■
examples of models of good practice
■
mental health promotion within an organisational setting: penal system, at
work, within the school, etc.
■
conference proceedings.
4In addition to a diary section, book reviews will be
commissioned.
With this type of format, the Journal can provide a vehicle for the regular interna-
tional exchange of knowledge and model programmes and act as an integral part
of the forces engaged in the development of collaborative networks throughout the
world.
Such ideas are of course open to discussion and modification because as
Charles Handysays:
‘Change is only another word for gro wth,another synonym for learning. We can
do it if we want to’.
As for this issue of the Journal, I am particularly content we are able to offer four
papers from different perspectives, each with
apowerful message to offer.
In The Value of Model Programmes in Mental Health Promotion and Mental
Disorder Prevention Clemens Hosman and Claire Engels draw on the work of many
researchers, mainly from North America,who are experienced in working in the
field of model programmes. However,particular note should be made of the signifi-
cant influence on this article of the Seventh Annual European Conference on the
Promotion of Mental Health. On thatoccasion a range of eminent European and
American experts came together in Maastricht to explore the availability of model
programmes, the assessment of specific programmes, opportunities for their
implementation in local communities, keys to successful implementation and ways
in which research can support the development and implementation of such
programmes. This paper not only encapsulates and endorses much of the
extensive debate, but also extends the discussion by providing a far-reaching set of
proposals and recommendations.
Those readers who would like to receive a copy of The Value of Model
Programmes: Recommendations of the Seventh Annual European Conference on
Maastricht 1997 should contact The Clifford Beers Foundation at the address on
the back cover of this journal.
In the second contribution, What Public Health Could (Belatedly) Contribute to
Mental Health Promotion, Bret Hart offers a thought-provoking and, to some
colleagues, contentious submission when he argues quite vehemently first, that
‘public health’ has consistently failed adequately to address issues pertaining to
EDITORIAL
Michael Murray
The Clifford Beers Foundation
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