Western Australian Mental Health Promotion Campaign Scoping Project

Collaborators

Curtin Centres for Behavioural Research into Cancer Control, Health Promotion Research and the School of Psychology

What Is The Study Trying To Find Out?

The Healthway board has made a commitment 'in principle' to conduct a mental health promotion program in Western Australia based on the Victorian Together We Do Better campaign. The Together We Do Better campaign involves funded community projects and an 'umbrella' mass media component.

Before proceeding Healthway commissioned this scoping exercise to:

Establish through qualitative research, Western Australian's beliefs about the concepts of mental health, social connection, valuing diversity, and physical and emotional health and well being.
Assess through qualitative research, Western Australians' and key stakeholders' reactions to the Together We Do Better campaign's communication materials.
Undertake a quantitative benchmark survey of Western Australian's beliefs and attitudes with respect to the concepts and issues to be promoted in the mental health promotion program.
Based on the qualitative and quantitative research and the experience and expertise of the study team, provide advice to the Healthway board on the scope of the mental health promotion program that is recommended.

How Is It Being Done?

The qualitative research consisted of:

eight focus groups conducted with members of the community stratified by age, socio-economic status, gender and rural/metro residence
five focus groups conducted with specific groups-persons in the mental health consumer and carer sector; people who have experienced racial/ethnic discrimination; people who have experienced sexual discrimination; people involved in the delivery of mental health and counselling services; people interested in mental health promotion

The quantitative benchmark survey was conducted via a CATI (computer assisted telephone interview) with 1 500 people. The questionnaire was developed based on the findings from the qualitative research.

Where Is It Up To?

The report was presented to Healthway in December 2002 and was launched in 2003. State and commonwealth funding sources and other bodies have shown considerable interest in implementing the report's recommendations. Copies of the report can be downloaded from http://www.healthway.wa.gov.au/

Funded By?

Healthway-The Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation
Web: http://www.healthway.wa.gov.au/

Project Manager

Rob Donovan
Email: R.Donovan@curtin.edu.au

Sven Silburn
Email: S.Silburn@curtin.edu.au