from margins to mainstream

As part of From Margins to Mainstream, VicHealth will be offering its highly popular Short Course: Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing to conference delegates.

This is a fantastic opportunity to introduce you to a determinants-based approach mental health promotion, or to consolidate the knowledge gained at the conference, while networking with local, national and international conference delegates.

The comprehensive course aims to increase the skills and capacity of workers in diverse sectors to undertake successful mental health promotion activity. It is a two day module which provides resources and models to enhance evidence based project planning, implementation and evaluation of activity with specific focus on VicHealth’s Mental Health Promotion Framework.

For more information, please see the flyers for each of the scheduled courses:

The courses run from 9:30am to 4:30pm each day, and will be held at the VicHealth seminar rooms, less than 3km from the conference venue.

The cost for the course is AUD$250, with all materials and meals provided. For further information, see the attached flyers, or contact Cassie Nicholls at cnicholls@vichealth.vic.gov.au or on +613 9667 1317. To register, please follow the online registration process, and select your preferred course date when completing your conference registration.

Background on the course

The Short Course was developed by VicHealth and Deakin University, and since 2005 it has been delivered to over 1700 participants across Victoria, as well as in the ACT. The comprehensive course aims to increase the skills and capacity of workers in diverse sectors to undertake successful mental health promotion activity.

The Short Course is a two day module which provides resources and models to enhance evidence based project planning, implementation and evaluation of activity with specific focus on VicHealth’s Mental Health Promotion Framework.

Many drivers of health lie outside the health sector.

Many sectors – including education, sport, arts, justice, health, community and government – play a major role in improving peoples’ mental health and wellbeing. The Short Course will target participants from these diverse sectors, bring them together regionally and encourage stronger cross-sectoral collaborations.

Participants will:

Be introduced to those factors determining mental health and wellbeing, with a focus on the themes of:
- social inclusion,
- discrimination and violence,
- access to economic resources.
Develop skills in planning, evaluating and monitoring mental health and wellbeing activity.
Receive resource material relevant to the design of evidence based mental health promotion activity.
Learn how to apply VicHealth’s Partnerships Analysis Tool and the new Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Tool.
Receive a series of good practice case studies which illustrate the issues integral to mental health and wellbeing work in the community

Marketing and Communications strategy

The marketing plan to be implemented includes aspects of the following:

Email communication – that includes frequent email blasts that update on general information, latest news, key dates, program and speaker details, keeping the target market engaged in activity leading up to the conference
Printed collateral – printed materials will be used to endorse the email campaign; highlighting key activities such as registration promotions and ‘Call for papers’.
Website – used as a pivotal marketing tool, this provides the key source of information about the conference and is constantly updated and refreshed to reflect the latest news.
Promotional activities – are planned for related events held leading up to the conference. This provides another access to the target market and the opportunity to keep the conference ‘top of mind’.
Advertising and articles – are planned to appear in related journals and publications to promote highlights of the program and key speakers.
Media coverage – will be attracted closer to the conference through both specialist and general media channels – profiling key developments in the field.
Travel and holiday focus – emphasising the holiday and adventure aspect of Australia will be a key focus of attracting international delegates, teamed with program highlights.

Enquiries regarding packages:
Conference Office - Think Business Events
Ph: +61 3 9370 1265
Email: info@margins2mainstream.com

The Short Course: Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing

Background on the course

Many drivers of health lie outside the health sector.

Marketing and Communications strategy