What works in terms of mental health prevention and promotion delivered in general practice and community settings?

The problem

There is a vital must for mental health prevention and promotion work and a requisite for a stronger research base. Around 1 in 3 GP appointments involves a mental health component (1) and statistics suggest that 1 in 4 individuals will experience mental illness in their lifetime (2). Although there is a push for ‘parity of esteem’ and a recognition that there is no health without mental health, prevention and promotion activities account for less than 0.03% of NHS spending on mental health (3). The covid-19 pandemic means the case for change is stronger than ever, as many report needs relating to their emotional wellbeing.

The approach

Assistant psychologists will provide mental health prevention and promotion activities across two communities with an aim to reach individuals below ‘caseness’. Interventions will be delivered in a targeted (one to one wellbeing sessions and group work) or universal way (e.g., wellbeing days, literature, wellbeing workshops, training and mental health champions).  

The learning

There is a wealth of organisational and government guidelines and position papers available that make a clear case for the prevention of mental ill-health and promotion of wellbeing in a primary care setting. Through communication with services and other staff members in general practice, a vitality of this type of service has been expressed. Working alongside the changing covid-19 guidelines has been challenging but adaptions have been made e.g. online group.  

Why it matters

Mental health prevention and promotion work matters. If more is not undertaken, it is predicted that by 2026 providing services that meet mental health demand will become unaffordable (5). This work will help to strengthen the research base for preventative strategies. This work aims to provide an effective and meaningful service for individuals, reduce pressure on GPs and waiting lists for other mental health services.

Presenting author:

Charlotte Harding, Assistant Psychologist at Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, project funded by Health Education England ( )

Co-authors:

Ameera Iqbal, Assistant Psychologist at Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, project funded by Health Education England (Ameera.Iqbal@lancashirecare.nhs.uk)

Dr Miranda Budd, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, project funded by Health Education England (Miranda.Budd@lancashirecare.nhs.uk)

References

(1) 1. London Strategic Clinical Network for Mental Health (2014). A commissioner’s guide to primary care mental health.

(2) McManus, S., Meltzer, H., Brugha, T. S., Bebbington, P. E., & Jenkins, R. (2009). Adult psychiatric morbidity in England, 2007: results of a household survey.

(3) Mental Health Strategies., 2012

(4) Knapp, M., McDaid, D. (2011). Mental health promotion and mental illness prevention: The economic case. London: Department of Health.