This document outlines Lothian's joint mental health and wellbeing strategy from 2011-2016. It defines mental health as a state of well-being where one can cope with stress, work productively, and contribute to their community. The strategy aims to promote mental well-being, prevent mental health problems, and improve quality of life for those diagnosed. Key goals included building social connections and capital through activities like social prescribing, community gardens, and reducing stigma. The strategy also sought to embed recovery principles, address inequalities, and improve integration of physical and mental healthcare services.

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