This paper discusses the contribution of mental health to the achievement of social well-being. The adverse effects of mental illness on family members and society at large are noted. The ways in which society benefits from the reduction of mental illness, and from the promotion of positive mental health, are considered. Two examples are given of specific ways in which positive mental health can be promoted. These are anger management and mindfulness training. Some of the empirical evidence relating to these are briefly reviewed. It is argued that Buddhism has a contribution to make to the promotion of mental health of individuals through some of its strategies for personal change and personal development. Finally, issues pertaining to the interactions between the individual and the society are considered. It is concluded that, in the endeavour to foster social well-being, both individual mental health and wider social interventions have a part to play.
