Examination of current awareness and understanding of mental health promotion among tertiary care providers

Mental health is an integral component and determinant of health. Mental health promotion (MHP) is a key primordial and primary preventive strategy that aims to enhance the capacity of individuals and communities to take control over their lives and improve their mental health and wellbeing. Development of mental health promoting healthcare systems is essential to promoting the mental wellbeing of a population and is dependent on having a skilled and informed workforce. This paper examines current awareness and understanding of MHP among tertiary care providers. Results showed that participants understood the relationship between mental and physical health, and the individual and social level factors that determine one’s mental health. Participants exhibited minimal understanding of the societal and economic determinants of health, and of MHP. It is recommended that MHP education and training resources be developed for tertiary care providers to effectively incorporate MHP into tertiary care services.