Nutbeam, D. (September, 2000). Health literacy as a public health goal: A challenge for contemporary health education and communication strategies into the 21st century. Health Promotion International. 15(3): 259-266.
Kickbush, I.S. (September, 2001). Health literacy: Addressing the health and education divide. Health Promotion International. 16(3): 289-297.
Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over the determinants of health and thereby improve their health. Health promotion represents a comprehensive social and political process. It not only embraces actions directed at strengthening the skills and capabilities of individuals, but also action directed towards changing social, environmental and economic conditions so as to alleviate their impact on public and individual health.
WHO, Health Promotion Glossary, 1998
Mental health is a state of well being in which the individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.
WHO (2001). Strengthening Mental Health Promotion. Geneva, World Health Organization, Fact Sheet 220.
Mental health literacy is defined as “knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management or prevention”
, and is thought to consist of several components, including: