THE EVIDENCE BASE Supported by the National Programme, NHS Health Scotland has started a programme to collect and share the evidence base in mental health improvement and to support practice development. Work so far has included: Establishing a reference group to oversee the development of the work programme Commissioning the delivery of three national workshops and a series of 'Evidence into Practice' workshops in every health board area Commissioning an impact assessment of the 'Evidence into Practice' workshops Commissioning the development of a series of mental health improvement evaluation guides Commissioning work to identify and develop case studies of mental health improvement practice in Scotland Commissioning an appraisal of Scottish Policy with respect to mental health improvement
Contact: Emma Hogg
Tel: 0131 536 5504
Email:
emma.hogg@health.scot.nhs.uk RESEARCH AND EVALUATION A researcher within the Scottish Executive works closely with NHS Health Scotland and other key partners in a range of activities to support the National Programme. A research and evaluation strategy, published on the National Programme's website, explains the programme's remit and priorities for action. Work to date includes commissioning and managing: Two national surveys of public attitudes to mental health, well-being and mental health problems (carried out in 2002 and 2004) An independent evaluation of 'Choose Life' (the National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland) A scoping study to establish the territory and focus for a series of research reviews to co-ordinate the evidence base on suicide and suicide-related behaviour
Contact: Angela Hallam
Tel: 0131 244 2813
Email:
angela.hallam@scotland.gsi.gov.uk INDICATORS FOR PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH/
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING A three-year project located in NHS Health Scotland began in December 2003 to devise a sustainable set of mental health indicators for Scotland. These will provide a measure of the state of mental health and well-being of the Scottish population and enable monitoring of changes over time. Work to date includes: Review of relevant data currently available in Scotland Establishment of links with others in Scotland and wider who have developed, or are developing, indicators in areas of relevance to the measurement of mental health and well-being, including areas such as commodity development, social capital and quality of life Work to compile a first working draft of possible indicators
Contact: Jane Parkinson
Tel: 0141 300 1028
Email:
jane.parkinson@health.scot.nhs.uk EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS Communicating effectively with a wide range of partners both nationally and locally is an important part of the National Programme's role. The 5th issue of
Well? magazine was published in October 2004 and will continue to be produced twice a year. The web site (
www.wellontheweb.net ) is aimed at communicating the work of the National Programme to a wide range of professionals and practitioners and is an up-to-date information portal with links to other sites nationally and internationally. The National Programme is a key part of the Scottish Executive's broader Health Improvement work and is therefore part of the Scottish Executive's 'Healthy Living' campaign. A logo for mental health and well-being has been developed as part of this brand and is available for use on all appropriate communications and materials nationally and locally. The Scottish Executive's Media and Communications Department is actively involved in disseminating information on the National Programme to the press and media throughout Scotland and the UK, and opportunities to place key mental health and well-being messages in key target media are continually identified. Contact: Trish Quinn
Tel: 0131 244 2683
Email:
trish.quinn@scotland.gsi.gov.uk LEARNING NETWORKS, EVENTS, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT The National Programme has supported a range of learning, training and teaching seminars at local, regional and national level which highlight and take forward the key aims of the National Programme. Support is available for events which benefit the key aims and priority areas of the National Programme. These events must be accessible to people with mental health problems and their carers, and a report of each event produced. Contact: Jonathan Gordon
Tel: 0131 244 4006
Email:
jonathan.gordon@scotland.gsi.gov.uk |