Sheena Lowrie from NHS Lothian presentation for Spaces 2012

1. A sense of belonging
Lothian’s joint mental health and
wellbeing strategy 2011-16
Sheena Lowrie sheena.lowrie@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

2. Outline of Presentation
 Integrated Mental Health and
Wellbeing Strategy
 How environmental and greenspace
activities support commitment to
change areas
 Reflections on day

3. The World Health Organisation describes
mental health as:
“a state of well-being in which the individual realises
his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses
of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is
able to make a contribution to his or her
community”.
It includes concepts such as resilience, a
sense of mastery and control, optimism
and hope as well as our ability to initiate
and sustain relationships and to play a
part in our social world. (Barry and Jenkins,
2007)

4. What is Mental Health Improvement?
M e n t a l h e a lt h im p r o v e m e n t is :
 any action to increase mental health and well-being
among populations and individuals
 an umbrella term including action to:
• promote mental well-being
• prevent mental health problems
• improve quality of life for people with a mental illness
diagnosis
SOURCE: Freidli, L. (2000), The Mental Health Review, Vol. 5, Issue 3.

5. Commitment to Change
 Building Social Capital and Wellbeing
 Embedding Recovery
 Addressing Inequalities
 Improving Services

6. Building social capital and mental wellbeing
 Social Prescribing, Healthy Active Minds
 Branching Out
 Community Gardens – involvement of local
communities
 Reducing Stigma and Discrimination
 Mental Health and Arts Film Festival

7. Embedding Recovery: Priority Actions
 Community Gardens at REH and Midlothian
Community Hospitals
 Partnership working REH Walkways Project
 Encouraging regular outdoor activity,
contact with nature

8. Addressing Inequalities
 Some groups more vulnerable to poor
mental health :- gender, age, social
circumstances, ethnic origin
 Green Exercise Partnership – criteria

9. Improving Services
 Joining up physical and mental health care
 Greenspace integral to REH redevelopment

10. Outcomes
 More people will have good mental health
 More people with mental health problems will recover
 More people with mental health problems will have good
physical health
 More people will have a positive experience of care and
support
 Fewer people will suffer avoidable harm
 Fewer people will experience stigma

11. Five Ways to Mental Wellbeing
 Connect with natural environment, with others
 Be active activity e.g. walking, environmental
art
 Take notice Noticing things around you,
savour the moment
 Keep learning try something new, learning
new things will make you feel more confident
 Give Smile, volunteer your time, join a
community group.
Source Foresight Mental Capital and Mental Wellbeing Project ( 2008)

12. © Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health