Councils and NHS given guide to promoting mental well-being

Source: Community Care 25 March 2010

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Date of publication: March 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: The report takes forward New Horizons, the government’s 10-year strategy to improve the mental health and well-being of the population, and the quality of services. The report emphasises the importance of intervening early, given estimates that half of all mental health problems, excluding dementia, start by the age of 14, but also of promoting mental well-being over the course of people’s lives.  It highlights universal and targeted interventions in areas including education, leisure and workplace health, as well as psychological therapies, and includes advice for commissioners on implementing the agenda.  The report is designed to help reduce the economic costs of mental illness because aAbout 11% of the NHS annual budget is spent on mental health services with recent estimates putting the wider economic costs at around £110bn UK-wide.

Length of publication:  Web site

A liberal dose? Health and wellbeing: the role of the state – an independent report

Source: Department of Health, February 2010

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Date of publication: 1 February 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: Sections cover the context of how much intervention the state should make into people’s health and wellbeing, how much the public think there should be state intervention, and first steps at a new framework for intervention.  Text cases are included which cover tobacco, alcohol and obesity

Length of publication:  51 pages

Wellbeing Project runs a unique business resilience programme in partnership with the School for Social Entrepreneurs

Source: The Wellbeing Project, February 2010

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Date of publication: February 2010

Publication type: Press release

In a nutshell: This training programme began on 19 February 2010 and is aimed at managers to educate them about the importance of workplace health rights.

Length of publication:  Website

Enabling effective delivery of health and wellbeing: an independent report

Source: Department of Health, February 2010

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Date of publication: 1 February 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: The recommendations in this report call for strengthening of cross department action on health and wellbeing, an integrated model of commissioning of services to improve health and wellbeing, integrated delivery at a local level, a renewed vision for primary care and an NHS that is more focused on prevention.

Length of publication:  45 pages

A Glass Half-full – How an asset approach can improve community health and wellbeing

Source: I&DeA, 2010

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Date of publication: April 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: This report offers a fresh perspective on how to reduce inequalities in community health and wellbeing.  It proposes assessing and building on the strengths and resources in a community to increase resilience and social capital, and develop better ways of delivering health outcomes.  Evidence shows that when practitioners begin with a community’s assets – as opposed to their needs – a community’s ability to address those needs increases. This publication offers an introduction to the asset model approach and gives examples of how it is being used in England.  It also outlines a set of structured tools that put asset model principles into practice.

Length of publication:  32 pages

Influencing Public Behaviour to Improve Health and wellbeing: an independent report

Source:  Department of Health, February 2010

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Date of publication: 1 February 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: Looks at what has worked in the past to improve health and wellbeing and what has not worked.  This is put forward within the context of how to influence behaviour change in people, suggesting what more can be done in the next decade.  Contains a number of recommendations that can be taken forward at local level.

Length of publication:  40 pages

The Silver Song Club Project: singing to promote the health of older people.

 Source: British Journal of Community Nursing

Year of publication: 2010

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Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell:  This article describes a  research project  aimed to gain participants’ views of taking part in Silver Song Clubs – community-based singing groups for older people. Seventeen individuals were interviewed and a number of benefits were identified. These included: enjoyment; better mental health and wellbeing; increased social interaction; improvements in physical health; cognitive stimulation and learning; and improved memory and recall. It is suggested that such benefits sit well within a model of health relevant to older people themselves.

Length of publication:  5 pages

Some important notes:  Original article may be available with an NHS Athens username; contact your local NHS library service for details.  Follow this link to find your local NHS Library http://www.hlisd.org

Acknowledgement: CINAHL

North West Mental Wellbeing Summary 2009

 

Source: Website

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Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Report Summary

In a nutshell: Major new survey of 18,500 residents of the North West highlights crucial role of mental wellbeing in improving people’s lives. It identified differences between local areas, with people from Warrington emerging as having the highest overall mental wellbeing score in the North West and people in Liverpool the lowest. One of the findings was there needs to be much greater attention and effort on improving mental wellbeing to help people live healthier, happier and more productive lives.

Length of publication: Webpage

Acknowledgement: Mental Health Development Unit

Future health: sustainable places for health and well-being

Source: Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE)

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Date of publication: 2009

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: This document explains how good design makes healthy places. It brings together what CABE knows about sustainable, health-promoting design with the latest thinking about individual health and well-being. The publication will be of interest to health trusts, planners, policymakers and premises providers.

Length of publication: 53 pages

National Evaluation of Partnerships for Older People Projects: final report

Source: Department of Health

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Date of publication: 2009

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: The Partnership for Older People Projects (POPP) was funded by the Department of Health to develop services for older people, aimed at promoting their health, well-being and independence and preventing or delaying their need for higher intensity or institutional care. The evaluation found that a wide range of projects resulted in improved quality of life for participants and considerable savings, as well as better local working relationships. Length of publication: 302 pages