Mental wellbeing - Auckland Council Social and Community Development Forum

• 1. Auckland Council Social andCommunity Development Forum Our mental health is central to our quality of life 26 February 2013

2. Mental Health Foundation Mental Health Promotion Resource & Information Service Media & Communications Policy & Development Fundraising 3. The goal of liveability expresses our shared desire tocreate a city where all people can enjoy a high quality oflife (Auckland Plan pg 18)Directive 1.7: Reduce health inequalities and improve thehealth of all Aucklanders. (Auckland Plan pg 84)A fair, safe and healthy Auckland.(Auckland Council Community Outcomes -2.2.2 LTP) 4. Mental health hard facts The facts 47% of New Zealanders will experience a mental illness and/or anaddiction at some time in their lives, with one in five peopleaffected within one year. Younger people have a higher prevalence of disorder in the past 12months and are more likely to report having ever had a disorder byany particular age. Females have a higher prevalence of anxiety disorder, majordepression and eating disorders than males, whereas males havesubstantially a higher prevalence for substance use disorders thanfemales. Prevalence is higher for people who are disadvantaged and forMaori and Pacific People with a mental disorder are more likely to be physicallyunwell and vice versa 5. Our Recommended Approach The Mental Health Foundation recommends the adoption of a flourishing orpositive mental health and wellbeing objective as part of Auckland Councils work initially as part of its community development strategy. Thriving Communities submission: This councils approaches and actions incommunity and social development will demonstrate and support strategies toincrease flourishing or positive mental health and wellbeing in the Aucklandpopulation. 6. Te Whare Tapa Wha 7. New Model of Mental Health A model is needed that incorporates evidence-based positive mentalhealth Flourishing:- Having a high level of psychological health- Actualizing potential- Building resilience- Quality of life perceived as high 8. FlourishingCore features Additional featuresPositive emotions Self-esteemEngagement, OptimisminterestResilienceMeaning, purposeVitalitySelf-determinationPositive relationships 9. Research in Support of FlourishingA study by Corey-Keyes (2007) found that flourishing Individuals have: fewest missed days of work healthier psychosocial functioning lowest risk of cardiovascular disease lowest number of chronic physical diseases fewest limitations during daily activities lower health care utilisation 10. Why a flourishing approach for Council?y The Mental Health Foundation believes that positive health outcomes have been a direct focus for various legacy Councils in Auckland Council: Waitemata City Council was an important partner in the Wellbeing Waitakeremovement Manukau City Council was involved in a Healthy Cities initiative there has also been a public health position recently in Council Auckland Council staff have also initiated or contributed to projectssuch as refugee health, domestic and sexual violence work,diversity and inclusion programmes - all of which have been crucialin achieving positive mental health outcomes 11. A flourishing strategy would: make explicit the objective of mental health promotion as a keypart of the Councils work promote new information on the importance of positive mentalhealth increase community knowledge on how to improve their own senseof wellbeing, and reinforce that knowledge with activities that have the ability tocreate behavioural changeIn terms of community outcomes, a flourishing strategy will: Enhance individual and community control Increase resilience and community assets Facilitate participation and promote inclusion 12. Five Ways to WellbeingEvidenced-based activities which create flourishing orpositive wellbeing: Connect Be Active Take Notice Keep Learning GiveAssessment tools to create flourishing environments: FEATFlourishing Environments Assessment ToolForesight Mental Capital and Wellbeing Project (2008). Final Project report Executive summary. The Government Office forScience, London. 13. Council Models MHF is discussing flourishing strategies with the Christchurch City Council There are a range of local government and health organisations in theUnited Kingdom which are implementing flourishing strategies Liverpool City Council organised a Year and now a Decade of Health andWellbeingThe Decade of Health and Wellbeing is for everybody and everyone can join in. Think how you, your family,your business or your community can build the five ways to wellbeing into your daily life. Think too about howyou could become involved to make a difference to yourself and your city. To support better health andwellbeing we will encourage everyone to review how they can contribute to these important goals: Giving every child the best start in life, supporting our young families. Enabling everyone to maximise their potential and have control over their lives. Creating good jobs and a healthy standard of living. Building healthy and green homes and communities. Preventing illness being well.(Liverpool City Council http://liverpool.gov.uk/leisure-parks-and-events/Events/healthandwellbeing/) 14. Recommendations:The MHF recommends that the Auckland Council: Set up a wellbeing working group in the community development section of Auckland Council to consider research, evidence and promising practices in promoting flourishing in order to contribute to Council strategy NGO participation Develop partnerships with Council policy and community development staff Raise public awareness of 5 ways to wellbeing Review current community development work and opportunities to include the flourishing approach Develop ways to measure the level of flourishing enjoyed by Auckland residents over time