Evaluation Skills Development Project Evaluating Mental Wellbeing and Social Connectedness Bernie Marshall School of Health & Social Development Deakin University

Mental Health Mental health is the embodiment of social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Mental health provides individuals with the vitality necessary for active living, to achieve goals and to interact with one another in ways that are respectful and just. (VicHealth 1999) Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. (WHO 2001)

Defining mental health promotion Mental health promotion is about efforts to identify the social factors and determinants that create conditions conducive for the good mental health and wellbeing of populations. Mental health promotion seeks to influence determinants and address inequities through the implementation of effective interventions at multiple levels among a wide number of sectors, policies, programs, settings and environments. (Keleher and Round in press)

VicHealth Mental Health Promotion Framework

Interventions that address mental health and wellbeing VicHealth Mental Health Promotion Framework  Social inclusion  Freedom from discrimination and violence  Economic participation

Social integration measures Role-based measures  Assess number of recognised social positions or social identities (e.g. spouse, worker, parent etc). Social participation measures  Assess extent or frequency of social activities. Importance of categories of activities can be compared. Perceived integration measures  Assess individuals’ own view of their communality Complex indicators  Blend of the above approaches.

Measures of social capital/cohesion and psychological sense of community Individual indicators  Interpersonal trust, norms of reciprocity, civic associations Composite indices  Social capital index, social cohesion scale, sense of community index

Key areas of community strength (DVC) Can get help when needed Could raise $2000 in an emergency Feels safe on street at night Multiculturalism makes area better Feels valued by society Opportunities to have a real say Volunteers Is a member of an organised group Group has taken local action Has attended a community event

ABS – Measures of social capital or connectedness Measuring social capital: current collections and future directions (2000) Social capital and social wellbeing: a discussion paper (2002) General social survey (2002) Measuring social capital: an Australian framework and indicators (2004) Indicators of community connection (due Nov 2005) ( 0813ef1/6256a9b6352b3b2fca256c22007ef573!OpenDocument#Using%20 Social%20Capital%20Statistics)

Evaluation Skills Development Project Resource

Evaluation Planning Grid

Your task: evaluating a social connectedness program Briefly describe a program where you want to measure social connectedness outcomes. What was the objective? What are the key questions you want your evaluation to answer? Read your indicators resource. As a group identify how you could evaluate this program using the measures available from your resources.

Evaluating whole community interventions Whole community change Range of events and programs Similar measures – surveys Cost Local government data collection Attribution

Villawood Project 3 years ~$150,000 Range of events: Harmony festival, women’s groups, song writing workshops, education,... Survey of 328 women pre and post (~20%) deakin.edu.au