North West Mental Wellbeing Survey results launched

More attention and effort is needed to improve mental wellbeing to help people live healthier, happier and more productive lives, according to the results of a major new survey of people in the North West launched on 25 January 2010.

The North West Mental Wellbeing Survey was undertaken in response to a growing need to understand more about positive mental health and wellbeing. With a total sample of 18,500 people across Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside, the survey is the largest, most significant and detailed investigation of the region’s mental health and wellbeing ever undertaken. 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.

The survey is the product of collaborative effort between primary care trusts and local authorities across the region and was led by the Strategic Health Authority (NHS North West), Department of Health and the North West Public Health Observatory.

The results revealed a clear link between general health and mental wellbeing. Those with relatively high mental wellbeing were three-and-a-half times more likely than those with relatively low mental wellbeing to say they were in very good health, while those with low mental wellbeing were nearly five times more likely to say that their health was very bad or bad than those with high mental wellbeing.

Commenting on the results, Dr Ruth Hussey, North West Regional Director of Public Health, said: “These findings are significant for the North West as wellbeing plays an important role in tackling health inequalities, particularly in relation to the social determinants of health such as having a job and having strong relationships with others,” said Dr Hussey. “Now, more than ever, being resilient and flourishing is fundamental to the prosperity of the North West region. All agencies need to work together to do more to place this issue at the top of their agendas,” she said.

The findings will be shared with relevant bodies across the North West to support regional and local action to improve mental wellbeing. They will also be used alongside the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’, to increase awareness and individual action.

You can download a survey summary report and the full technical report at www.nwph.net/nwpho/Publications/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=208

Message sent on behalf of Dr Ruth Hussey, North West Regional Director of Public Health

by: Pam Wright , Director
nwconferences ltd
Tel: 01524 510481
Mobile: 07917 570515
email: pam@nwconferences.co.uk
www.nwconferences.co.uk