Implementing Mental Health Promotion: TheAct–Belong–CommitMentally Healthy WA Campaign in Western Australia

“The people make it fun, the activities we do just make sure we turn up on time.” Factors influencing older adults’ participation in community-based group programmes in Perth, Western Australia

“…This led them to collaborate with a local university and the health promotion agency Mentally Healthy WA, which developed the Act‐Belong‐Commit programme. This programme provides guidance to organisations wishing to promote mental health among constituents at a population level, as well as strategies individuals can adopt to protect their mental health (Donovan, James, Jalleh, & Sidebottom, ).…”

Developing a culturally appropriate branding for a social and emotional wellbeing intervention in an Aboriginal community

“…This innovative, evidence‐based program was developed primarily from research into people's perceptions of mental health and the behaviours they believed protected and promoted good mental health. A grounded theory was developed, and subsequent searches of the relevant literature identified a substantial evidence base to support the grounded model . Hence, the Act‐Belong‐Commit message represents three major domains of activities that both the literature and the general public consider contribute to good mental health: keeping mentally, physically, spiritually and socially active (Act); having a sense of identity and belonging via participation in family, group and community organisations and events (Belong); and committing to goals, challenges and causes that provide meaning and purpose in life (Commit) …”

Impact on community organisations that partnered with the Act‐Belong‐Commit mental health promotion campaign

“…The 2-year pilot program aimed to improve community understanding of positive mental health by encouraging individuals to engage in activities that would enhance their mental health while simultaneously encouraging community organisations offering such activities to promote their activities under a mental health benefit banner. 9,18 In exchange, these community organisations were supported by campaign project officers who provided assistance and skills development in applying for funding, publicity and media relations, the promotion of events and activities, and general public awareness raising. The Act-Belong-Commit campaign sought to reinforce and increase people's knowledge that they could maintain and enhance mental health by keeping mentally, physically and socially active (Act), by participating in community activities and membership of formal and informal groups in the community (Belong) and by getting involved in causes, taking up realistic challenges or volunteering (Commit).…”

“…There is considerable scientific evidence that these three domains of behaviour contribute to good mental health. 18 The execution of this evidence-based campaign was developed primarily from research undertaken by Curtin University into people's perceptions of mental health and the behaviours they believed protected and promoted good mental health. [18][19][20] With joint funding from MHWA and the Western Australian Country Health Service (WACHS), one full-time or two part-time project officers were employed in each of the six pilot towns.…”

“…18 The execution of this evidence-based campaign was developed primarily from research undertaken by Curtin University into people's perceptions of mental health and the behaviours they believed protected and promoted good mental health. [18][19][20] With joint funding from MHWA and the Western Australian Country Health Service (WACHS), one full-time or two part-time project officers were employed in each of the six pilot towns. During the pilot phase, one of the primary target groups was officeholders in organisations that provided or facilitated activities that could enhance people's mental health.…”