Proceedings for Systems Think Tank on Mental Health and Chronic Disease Prevention : Moving Forward as a System

Proceedings for Systems Think Tank on Mental Health and Chronic Disease Prevention: Moving Forward as a System Hosted by the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance In partnership with its members: the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Event Summary Compared to the major chronic disease risk factors (alcohol use, unhealthy eati [...] Following a presentation by the OCDPA, the Canadian Mental Health Association - Ontario Division and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, participants were invited in small groups to describe existing mental health promotion activities within their organization; to identify benefits and challenges to addressing mental health; to discuss opportunities for collaborative action; and to identif [...] They saw mental health promotion as an opportunity to view current activities through a new lens, to align physical and mental health for better health outcomes and cost-savings to the health system. [...] The 3 priority actions are: ♦ Document existing initiatives and evidence for mental health promotion so that people could build on existing programs; ♦ Create a common vision of a direction for the integration of mental health into chronic disease prevention; ♦ and influence the provincial mental health and addiction strategy currently under development to ensure it includes chronic disease preven [...] This systems think tank event aimed to increase participants’ understanding of mental health as a chronic disease risk factor; to support and enhance mental health promotion activities currently undertaken; to discuss how mental health can be better integrated into chronic disease prevention; and to identify opportunities for collaborative action and act as a system.