WHAT PREVENTION MEASURES SHOULD BE ADDED? A focus on physical activity, healthy eating, and non-smoking will help to promote good mental health as well as physical health. Unemployment, a risk factor for a number of mental health conditions, is on the rise due to COVID-19. To prevent mental health issues, we should focus on building people’s health literacy and self-care skills through public information campaigns and online learning programs. Supportive social environments can be encouraged by parenting
programs and school and workplace mental health promotion initiatives.
The same principles outlined in the strategy to prevent conditions such as diabetes also apply to preventing mental health conditions such as depression. To prevent either, we need to minimise risk factors and increase protective factors linked to the condition—before it occurs. But some adaptation would be needed for the plan to address both physical and mental health. Read more: If Australia really wants to tackle mental health after coronavirus, we must take action on homelessness
230
Powered by FlippingBook