Mental health in adults
In Rochdale, 2.3 per cent of patients aged 18 or over on GP practice registers are recorded as having a new diagnosis of depression. This is above the national average of 1.5 per cent (NHS Quality and Outcomes Framework 2021/22).
The importance of good mental health
Ensuring lifelong good mental health within a population is about more than just the absence of mental disorder and is a major contributor to overall wellbeing and success for the people within it.
Mental health is an essential component of health. It has an impact on every aspect of life, including how we feel, think and communicate as well as on our physical health, our employment chances, our educational attainment, our relationships, lifestyle choices, and risk behaviours. It is therefore the responsibility of not only the individual but also of families, friends, employers and the wider community to enable people to develop and maintain good mental health.
It enables us to manage our lives successfully and live to our full potential. Everyone has mental health needs that emerge and develop throughout our lives.
What factors impact mental health?
A broad range of factors affects mental health including socioeconomic determinants such as access to quality housing, green public spaces, economic security, employment, education, safe neighbourhoods and access to services as well as individual factors such as connectedness to family, friends, regular physical activity and a sense of control.
Therefore to improve mental health we need to have a perspective that encompasses all of these factors.
Read the Mental Health Needs Assessment
Statistics on mental health
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Mental Health, Dementia and Neurology - this profile includes data on self-reported wellbeing, use of outdoor space for health reasons, sports club membership and other indicators that contribute to positive wellbeing.
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Better mental health: JSNA toolkit - this profile includes data on self-reported wellbeing, use of outdoor space for health reasons, sports club membership and other indicators that contribute to positive wellbeing.
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Severe mental illness profile - the severe mental illness profile has been developed to collate and analyse a wide range of publically available data on prevalence, risk, prevention, early intervention, assessment, treatment, outcomes and service costs.
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Suicide prevention profile - the suicide prevention profile aims to help develop understanding at a local level and support an intelligence-driven approach to suicide prevention. It collates and presents a range of publically available data on suicide, associated prevalence, risk factors, and service contact among groups at increased risk.
Information and guidance on mental health
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance - Mental health and behavioural conditions - NICE has produced a number of documents on mental health including guidance on depression, anxiety, self-harm, personality disorders and behavioural conditions.
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Wellbeing and mental health: Applying All Our Health - evidence and guidance to inform healthcare professionals and maximise their contribution to improving mental health and wellbeing.