Mental Wellbeing Atlas and prototype work on an index

This page contains a set of reports about mental wellbeing. There is an atlas of regional and local authority level maps of factors that influence mental health and wellbeing to help to inform Joint Strategic Needs Assessments. There is a report of short project to develop a prototype index of factors influencing mental wellbeing together with the underlying data in a spreadsheet. Finally there is a presentation of maps using regional data. The index was based on a theoretical model by Nurse (2008). An index of factors influencing wellbeing, as opposed to wellbeing itself, is desirable in that it would indicate the scale of the challenge for local work and possibly the extent to which government should provide support, particularly funding. Scores for factors likely to reflect positive or risk influences were sought the five broad domains of the model. Initially we looked for measures usable geographically at ONS lower super-output area level; it became apparent that in almost all cases the most detailed level for which data were practically available at short notice was that of local authorities. In three cases ('resilience and a secure base', 'integrated mental and physical health' and 'sustainable connected communities') we found measures for both aspects which were at least partly satisfactory, though far from comprehensive. For one more ('a positive start in life') we identified viable risk measures. For the fifth ('promote meaning and purpose') we were unable to find satisfactory scores. By processes of data reduction, transformation and subsequent combination, positive and risk factor scores, and an overall index were calculated and their distributions mapped. The work was presented in preliminary form at a Department of Health Seminar in November 2008. The discussion from that session is summarised. Development of the prototype to a fully usable version would require substantial further work. This should start with a detailed consultation and literature review focussing on the model itself. Further work on the provision of data sources is needed, and is likely to require discussions between the Department of Health, other government departments and the Office for National Statistics. Finally empirical work is needed on the question of how the influencing factors identified actually appear to influence mental wellbeing in areas where both can be measured. Ideally, to support this work, suitable additions should be made to the scope of major national surveys, notably the Health Survey for England.

• Mental Health
• Health Needs Assessment (JSNA)

• Data Analysis
• Determinants Of Health
• Local Authority
• Mental Health
• Mental Health Promotion
• Wellbeing