Public Mental Health and Wellbeing

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This is a universal resource which aims to promote awareness and understanding of public mental health and wellbeing. It is also a capacity building resource that aims to support public health colleagues, partners and organisations to deliver on the public mental health agenda. The focus of this framework is prevention and early intervention.
 
What does a public mental health approach looking like?
A public mental health approach focusses on improving mental wellbeing and preventing mental ill health at a population level by:
  • Enabling individuals and communities to lead more fulfilling lives and to build mental resilience, being better able to endure and recover from life’s challenges;
  • Developing stronger, inclusive communities which create an environment conducive to good mental health and wellbeing, supporting and nurturing one another. 
Find out more about taking a public mental health approach here
 
Strengthening Connections

The following infographic provides a summary of what a public mental health approach could look like. You can also explore each area in more depth underneath.

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Mental health and wellbeing across the life course

Mental health and wellbeing are crucial at all points in the life-course. However, there are times across the life-course where mental health and wellbeing are particularly vulnerable and action can have a larger impact. The sections below briefly explore this. 

Perinatal and infant mental health and parenting

School aged children and young people

Working Age People

Older Adults

Mental health equity 

 

Tools and Resources 

You can find a range of tools and resources in the following section, which can help guide and inform on any actions you are looking to undertake in relation to public mental health and wellbeing.

NIHR Framework for Public Mental Health 

Mental Wellbeing Impact Assessment Toolkit (pdf)

 

Published: 30/05/2025 11:50