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Positive mental health means
having the resources necessary
to cope with different life
events. Even positive life
events require a certain
resilience as we negotiate
them: leaving home, managing
study, forming settled life
relationships, having children,
changing jobs, buying a house,
retiring – all of these normal
life events contain an element
of stress that effects mental
health.
On top of these events, few
of us will get through our
lives without experiencing
bereavement, disappointment
and work related stress. We
need the personal resources
and resilience to manage
all these life events without
becoming overwhelmed. Many
people assume that mental
health is on a simple spectrum
with mental health on one end
and mental illness on the other.
This very simplistic view of
mental illness fails to recognise
the dynamic relationship
between the different elements
and events in our lives.
Why Promote Positive
Mental Health?
Mental health is interconnected
with, and influenced by,
everything in our lives. Social
relationships, work, family
relationships, diet, alcohol
and drugs, cultural demands
and differences, upbringing,
education, spirituality and
emotional literacy all have
an impact on mental health.
Mental health difficulties
are becoming increasingly
common in Scottish society
with the expectation that 25%
of the current population
will experience mental health
problems at some time in their
lives.
Statistics indicate that:
• 1 in 20 people at this
moment will be suffering
from depression
• 80% of mental illness is
anxiety and depression
• GP’s diagnose 60% of
mental health disorders
• Of the people diagnosed by
GP’s 90% will be treated by
them
• Patients with depression and
anxiety make up as much as
70% of GP appointments
• 10% of young people under
19 have mental health
problems that are serious
enough to impact on their
everyday lives
• Referrals to specialist youth
services are increasing so
waiting times are getting
longer
• Young males, those from
low income families and
young black people are at
greatest risk
• Almost 40% of absences
from work are caused by
mental health problems
• Mental health problems are
a major cause of long term
disability
Clearly the cost in terms of
personal suffering and the
nation’s economy is such that
something needs to reverse the
trend and help us become a
more healthy society.
National Programme for Mental
Health and Well-Being
http://www.wellscotland.
info/mentalhealth/nationalprogramme.html
The National Programme for
Mental Health and Well Being
exists to support mental health
improvement and well being in
Scotland.
The key aims of the National
Programme are:
• Raising awareness and
promoting positive mental
health and well-being
• Eliminating stigma and
discrimination
• Preventing suicide and
supporting people affected
by the aftermath of suicide
• Promoting and supporting
recovery for people with
mental health problems
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