Generic principles of effective mental health promotion

A knowledge base is emerging on the effectiveness of mental health promotion which may be used to guide effective policy and practice. This paper considers the generic principles underpinning the practice of effective mental health promotion. Reviews of the evidence base are examined in order to identify evidence-based principles of effective practice. The characteristics of successful mental health promotion programmes and their application in practice are identified and discussed. The cross-cutting principles that guide the implementation of effective programmes are discussed, and their implications for future practice and policy developments are considered.