The All Wales Mental Health Promotion Network’s third annual conference was held on the 17 March 2010 at Glyndwr University, Wrexham. The event was well attended and extremely well received.

Entitled, ‘Recession, Resilience and Resourcefulness: Threats and Opportunities for Mental Wellbeing’, the conference explored the impact that the recession may have on mental health and the opportunity for promoting mental wellbeing and promoting individual and community resilience.

The day was chaired by Dr Carl Clowes and the keynote speech delivered by Dr Lynne Friedli, Mental Health Promotion Specialist and Michael Parsonage, Senior Policy Adviser, Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health.

The keynote presentation provided a summary of the findings of the Promoting mental health and preventing mental illness: the economic case for investment in Wales report which was commissioned by the All Wales Mental Health Promotion Network. Economic analysis methodology was used to develop the case for greater investment in the prevention of mental illness and the promotion of positive mental health. The report provides some guidance on possible priorities in the choice between different interventions to improve mental health and wellbeing. For more information about the report, click here.

The conference included six workshops focusing on: Parenting, Children and Young People, Employment/Workplace, Supportive Communities, Older People and Financial Capability/Inclusion. Each involved brief presentations on a particular mental health promotion programme, intervention or initiative followed by an opportunity for in-depth discussion and debate.

Delegates also had the opportunity to take part in an optional Taiko drumming workshop at lunch time. This was provided by Ursula Frank and James Barrow and involved a practical demonstration with an opportunity for delegates to participate in a hands-on taiko drumming session. Taiko drumming involves big drums and lots of choreographed movements and is often used for therapeutic purposes and with people who have health or social difficulties.

Click here to view copies of presentation slides.

Click here to view the Post Conference Report.