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WELL? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
CHAPTER ONE. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Mental health is one of three key clinical priority areas for the NHS in Scotland. Mental health problems are likely to affect one in five Scots in any one year (Scottish Executive, 2000) and approximately 15 per cent of the Scottish health budget in 2000-2001 was spent on mental health services (Philp et al., 2002). Policy is directed towards ensuring that flexible and appropriate services are available for people who develop mental health problems, when, where and how they need them (Scottish Office, 1997). The proposed Mental Health (Scotland) Bill introduces changes to legislation founded on principles of justice, autonomy, beneficence and non-malificence (Scottish Executive, 2001).
1.2 However, an effective health policy is not just one that gets better at treating more people who are already ill. A commitment exists within the health improvement and social justice strategies of the Scottish Executive's policy agenda to raise awareness of mental health issues and to promote positive mental health and well being (Scottish Executive, 1999 and 2000, Scottish Office 1999). Effective prevention of mental health problems, and early identification and intervention when mental health problems occur, are also key policy aims. In the autumn of 2001 the Executive announced a
National Programme for Improving the Mental Health and Well Being of the Scottish Population to focus on all these issues. The National Programme also links in with key national agencies to address the problems of the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness (Well? Mental health and well being in Scotland.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/health/mhm92-00.asp).
1.3 As part of its early work, the National Programme needed to investigate levels of mental health and well being in the Scottish population, and to examine people's attitudes to a range of mental health issues. This study was commissioned to provide the National Programme with data that would allow its work to be targeted where and how attitudes and behaviour might be influenced. The contract was let to NOP Research Group's Social and Political division, following a competitive tendering process.
1.4 The aims of the survey were as follows:
To explore people's understanding of mental health and well being;
To assess people's perceptions of mental health problems, including the stereotypes and myths surrounding mental illness;
To examine where and how people acquire information about mental health issues;
To measure the extent to which previous direct experience of mental health problems is related to people's attitudes towards, and perceptions of, mental health problems.
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