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

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

Neighbourhoods and mental well-being: what are the pathways?

Source: Health & Place, 2009, 15 (1) pp 56-68

Date of publication:  March 2009

Publication type: Journal atricle

In a nutshell:  This article describes findings from a qualitative study conducted in Toronto,  Canada, examining the pathways by which neighbourhood characteristics are related to mental well-being. Concept mapping provides unique contributions and challenges and may provide a useful means of examining specific pathways from neighbourhood to health outcomes

Length of publication: 12 pages

Some important notes: Contact your local NHS library if you would like a copy of this article.  Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

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Acknowledgement: Cinahl

Working towards promoting positive mental health and well-being for older people from BME communities

Source: Working with Older People: Community Care Policy & Practice,  2009, 13 (1) pp 35-40

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Date of publication:   March 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This article identifies some of the key issues that need to be considered when trying to promote positive mental health and well-being for older people from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities. A key finding demonstrates the  importantance of recognising that a number of structural or organisational issues go beyond language or culture can affect health and access to health. The article also promotes the significant role of voluntary sector organisations in developing culturally appropriate mental health promotion services for BME elders

Length of publication: 5 pages

Some important notes: You will need an Athens username and password to access this article. Contact your local library service for more information.

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Acknowledgement: CINAHL

New Horizons : a new vision for mental health and wellbeing

Source: Department of Health http://www.dh.gov.uk

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Date of publication: 2009

Publication type: Press Release

In a nutshell: ‘New Horizons’ is a new strategy to promote mental health and wellbeing, whilst improving services for people who have mental health problems building on the NSF for mental health which has been recognised as the catalyst for a transformation in mental health care over the last ten years. The start will be a series of listening events.

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Acknowledgement: Sainsbury Centre

Multiple choice: A flexible way to improve mental health

Source:  Community Care, 12 March 2009  http://www.communitycare.co.uk

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Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The Hartlepool branch of Mind has adopted an approach to mental health treatment that can be easily adapted to fit in with the changing needs of the client, writes Amy Taylor

The term Human Givens is likely to be met with blank faces among many social care professionals but the approach is gaining momentum across mental health services and further afield.

The approach works with the knowledge and skills people possess naturally to help them overcome problems. It combines this with other therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and solution-focused therapy, offering individuals a range of solutions.  For further information about Human Givens go to www.hgi.org.uk

Length of publication: Web page

Acknowledgement: Community Care