Mental Wellbeing

Wellbeing and Happiness in Lambeth: The Lambeth mental wellbeing programme 2009-12

The Lambeth Mental Wellbeing Programme sets out the ambitions and actions of the Lambeth First commitment- to improve the mental wellbeing and resilience in Lambeth. It aims to make the most of the strengths and assets of people living and working in Lambeth and the public environment, to create the conditions where it is possible for all to achieve their potential for wellbeing. See our programme for Lambeth mental wellbeing here.

Evidence suggests that there is much to gain from intervening early, to support the development of mental wellbeing and resilience and to promote mental wellbeing generally. The benefits of positive mental health are not just an improvement in mood but also improvements in social functioning[i].  The case for promoting mental health across the whole population as well as early intervention and some targeted actions for vulnerable groups are compelling.

Key benefits of this approach are:

• Improved educational achievement and outcomes
• Increased productivity and employment
• Reduced sickness absence
• Increased quality of life and overall feelings of wellbeing
• Lower rates of crime, substance misuse and mental illness
• Improved standards of health
• Reduced costs of public services as people become less reliant on services
• A reduction in health inequalities

What is wellbeing?

 Lambeth has adopted the definition:

‘To experience good mental health and wellbeing is to feel positive about today and to have hope about the future; to feel reasonably confident about being able to handle life's stresses and problems and that mostly life is fulfilled and rewarding.' 

The Principles

• There is no health without mental health; mental wellbeing is central to success in everything so we must build it into everything we do
• Focus on people's abilities and aspirations not only their needs
• Decision makers must share power to make a difference
• The cornerstones of mental wellbeing for communities and individuals are;
  • Kindness and respect for self and others
  • Fairness and social justice in everything especially service provision
  • Being able to take part in community activities and decision making
• Communicating means listening first
• Measure progress by measuring what matters to people

Areas for action are framed into a series of statements of intent which describe the mental wellbeing outcomes Lambeth First is committed to over the three years to 2012. Each statement has a set of actions against which progress will be measured.

[i] Friedli. L (2009) Mental Health, resilience and inequalitites, World Health Organisation, Denmark

For further information please contact Lucy Smith, Public Health Manager, NHS Lambeth on 020 3049 4470 or email lucy.smith@nhs.net