Promoting Mental Health Improvement Module 2 Exploring mental health

Learning aims To explore:  values and attitudes – further thoughts  benefits of positive mental health  risk factors to mental health  protective factors  investing in mental health. 1.

Promoting mental health improvement  Addressing stigma associated with mental health issues  Valuing and meeting psychological needs  Raising awareness of risks and protective factors 2.

The importance of mental health improvement  Mental health problems account for one third of morbidity and disability in Scotland  Wider cost to Scotland £8 billion  Prevention and recovery is possible  Positive wellbeing is a protective factor  Improving mental health brings benefits to all 3. Audit Scotland. (2009). Overview of Mental Health Services. Edinburgh.

Benefits of positive mental health  Healthier lifestyles  Better physical health  Improved recovery from illness  Fewer limitations in daily living  Higher educational attainment  Greater productivity, employment and earnings  Better relationships  More social cohesion  Better quality of life 4. Friedli. (2009). Mental Health, resilience and inequalities. WHO, Cophenhagen.

Mental health and psychological wellbeing  Self-acceptance  Positive relationships  Environmental mastery  Autonomy  Purpose in life  Personal growth (Ryff, 1989; Ryff and Keyes, 1996.) 5.

Risk factors to mental health  Poverty and deprivation  Financial insecurity  Emotional problems  Relationship problems  Poor social networks and support  Unmet psychological needs  History of mental health problems 6.

Poverty and deprivation – impact on mental health 7. Children in poverty: Child with poor emotional well being has lowest educational outcomes Children in poverty: Child with positive emotional well being has better educational outcomes Richer children Richer children do better regardless of emotional or cognitive capability

Impact of economic downturn  Financial stress trebles risk of anxiety and depression  Rates of depression have increased since start of economic crisis  Rise in unemployment leads to poorer quality of life  Social cohesion reduced as services withdrawn 8.

Protective factors – individual  Feeling safe  Self-determination  Financial security  Resilience and problem-solving skills  Feeling in control 9.

Protective factors – individual 2  Confiding relationships  Access to social networks  Meaningful activity and roles  Creativity  Spirituality 10.

Protective factors – community  Social capital: networks, supports and resources  Stable and supportive environment  Participation and influence: local democracy  Cultural life  Tolerance and trust 11.

Protective factors – community 2  Opportunities for lifelong learning  Amenities and services  Hopefulness  Opportunity for arts and creative activities  Access to faith groups 12.

Protective factors – workplace and/or education  Feeling safe, not bullied or harassed  Effort/reward balance  Ability to make decisions  Opportunities for development and learning 13.

Protective factors – workplace and/or education 2  Job/task control  Reasonable adjustments  Social support – vertical and horizontal  Respect for diversity 14.

Protective factors – wider society  Socio-economic conditions: income, financial security  Economic stability  Participation and influence  Absence of marked social and economic inequalities 15.

Protective factors – wider society  Tolerance and trust  Absence of discrimination  Tolerance and respect for diversity National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-Being: Addressing Mental Health Inequalities in Scotland – equal minds. (2005).

Protective activities  Learning  Healthy living Diet Physical activity  Meaningful activity Volunteering Creativity Work Social groups 17.

Investing in mental health  Supporting parents  Supporting lifelong learning  Improving working lives  Supporting positive mental health  Supporting communities Friedli and Parsonage. (2007). Mental health promotion: building an economic case. 18.