Welcome
The World Health Organization describes mental health as "...a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own 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."
This makes mental health everybody’s business! Creating and sustaining mental health could well be part of the work you’re already doing; whether it’s increasing social participation through involving young people in the arts or reducing discrimination by making your sport more accessible for recent arrivals in your country.
From Margins to Mainstream: 5th World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and the Prevention of Mental and Behavioral Disorders will explore new ways that individuals and organisations from a range of sectors can promote mental health and prevent mental illness.
Mental health promotion and prevention are concepts which are no longer discussed only within health, but are now being integrated into many conversations including those within education, physical activity, justice, planning, the arts, technology and human rights – to name just a few. The evidence that mental health is determined by a range of socioeconomic factors is also building.
The aim of this conference is to confirm that mental health promotion is no longer at the margins but rather firmly established in the mainstream research, policy and practice arenas.
From Margins to Mainstream will involve researchers, practitioners and policy experts from a range of countries and sectors to profile the latest evidence and activities that contribute to promoting individual and community mental health and wellbeing. This is an important opportunity to promote your activities as best practice in your area, or learn from the leaders in your field. The global audience will also enable delegates to make important local, regional and international connections.
A significant outcome of the conference will be the development of the Melbourne Charter, a statement of global principles designed to influence activity in the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental illness.
An exciting arts and cultural program has been designed as an integral part of the conference with local and international performances and exhibitions, including a Conference Welcome Reception at the National Gallery of Victoria’s Ian Potter Centre. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Marketplace will showcase a range of international and local organisations addressing mental health and wellbeing, and arts and crafts exhibits for purchase.
From Margins to Mainstream is organised by VicHealth, the World Federation for Mental Health, the Clifford Beers Foundation and the Carter Center Mental Health Program. It is supported by the World Health Organization and the Global Consortium for Prevention and Promotion in Mental Health.
We hope that you will be able to be a part of this exciting conference. Please explore our From Margins to Mainstream website at your leisure.
 Dr Rob Moodie Nossal Institute of Global Health University of Melbourne  |
 Prof. Helen Herrman ORYGEN Research Centre University of Melbourne  |
