Good health is defined as ‘a state of complete physical and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’ [World Health Organisation 2005]. Poor mental health has a profound impact on the emotional health and well-being of individuals and communities. Whilst it is difficult to gauge accurately the true picture of mental health and emotional well-being across Nottinghamshire, as nationally, due to the lack of consistent and comprehensive data, the Mental Illness Needs Index predicts the distribution of mental health problems at small area level, using hospital admissions and ward population characteristics. Bassetlaw, Ashfield and Gedling show high levels of need compared to the national average.
Including this priority in the Local Area Agreement will provide a powerful lever for change in services which impact on mental and emotional well-being. Emotional well-being and resilience is fundamental to people’s capacity to get the most out of life. There are many opportunities to improve the mental and emotional well-being of individuals and communities through the co-ordinated actions of local partners. Inclusion in the LAA will bring added value to improving community mental health and emotional well-being.
There is great potential for children to feel safer by working across the Partnership, as this will ensure better access to play and leisure, will provide positive activities, things to do and places to go, safer streets and an improved local environment. Children and young people who feel safer are less stressed, show less anti-social behaviour and achieve more.
