who we are

What We Stand For

SDC believes that everyone’s mental health is important and good mental health is everyone’s business. A commitment to understanding and helping to address inequalities in mental health runs through our work. SDC regards mental health improvement as an issue of social justice, requiring action to address poverty, social and economic disadvantage, injustice and discrimination, all key determinants of mental health.

We aim to:

• Build knowledge and understanding
• Support change in policy and practice
• Challenge inequalities and exclusion

We do this by:

• Supporting the development and implementation of public policy that contributes to improved mental health and well being
• Helping create supportive environments for living, learning, working and playing, which are conducive to mental health
• Facilitating development and improvement in health and social services to achieve better mental health outcomes and support recovery
• Enhancing community capacity to promote and sustain good mental health
• Building individual capabilities and resourcefulness to enjoy good mental health and well being and deal with adversity

SDC provides support services to those sectors, agencies and services who have roles and responsibilities in contributing to enhanced mental health and well being.

> SDC's theoretical foundations

SDC's work lies in three strategic areas:

Improving mental health and well being

Tackling mental health inequalities and social exclusion

Developing and improving services for people who experience, or are at risk of, mental health problems

> SDC's theoretical foundations