Research and Evaluation Papers
Download published and completed research papers and evaluations related to the National Programme. For updates on continuing research projects, see our live research section.
A Review of Scotland's National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing 2003-2006
The National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing was launched in 2001 and since then has been working locally and nationally to raise the profile and support further action in mental health improvement in
The purpose of the review was to examine the progress in achieving the aims set out in the Action Plan (between 2003-2006), to assess its influence and impacts, and to arrive at the conclusions that could inform the future direction of policy on mental health improvement in
The review can be downloaded from the Health Scotland website by clicking here.
Arts, Creativity and Mental Health Initiative
The Mental Health Foundation, with support from the National Programme, commissioned a report into the findings of four trial arts therapies services that operated in community settings across Scotland between 2003-2005.
The importance of creative and valued activity in improving and promoting mental wellbeing has been well documented. This report presents findings to support this and help push the arts based intervention agenda forwards.
Full Report
Summary Report
Evaluation of the first phase of Choose Life: the national strategy and action plan to prevent suicide in Scotland
An evaluation of the first phase of Choose Life was commissioned in 2004 and carried out by a consortium of researchers led by Professor Stephen Platt, Research Unit in Health, Behaviour and Change, University of Edinburgh. The final report from the evaluation can be downloaded:
Full Report
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/146980/0038521.pdf
Summary Report
Breathing Space Evaluation
Breathing Space is Scotland's national telephone advice line and signposting service for people experiencing low mood or depression. An evaluation of the service was carried out by the Scottish Centre for Social Research, between April and December 2005, and the final report from the evaluation is published below:
Full Report
- Breathing Space Final Report.pdf [914.12Kb]
Summary Report
- Breathing Space RF 49.2006.pdf [122.65Kb]
Equal Minds – Addressing Mental Health Inequalities in Scotland
How does being a woman or a man, being young or old, or from an ethnic minority community affect mental health? How do poverty and deprivation affect wellbeing? What effect does having a mental health problem have on the chances of being discriminated against? This recently published research paper considers the issues.
Full Report
- EM-Report.pdf [391.81Kb]
Summary Report
- EM-Summary.pdf [155.74Kb]
Small Research Projects Initiative
The Small Research Projects Initiative provides funding for small, innovative research projects able to demonstrate a contribution to advancing the agenda of the National Programme. For more information visit our Research pages.
You can view short summaries of each of the published projects by clicking on the links below:
Implementing a recovery approach in policy and practice: a literature review
How do community services support wellbeing?
User perspectives of self-help and community services
Understanding and promoting student mental health in Scottish Higher Education – a mapping exercise
Mental wellbeing and behaviour in schools: promoting links between evidence and practice
Self-help support groups: a study of their role in recovery from depression
Young people's views of mental health education in secondary schools
Towards recovery competencies in Scotland: the views of key stakeholder groups
Mental Health Improvement
Mental Health Improvement – What Works?
2003 briefing on the evidence base on mental health improvement.
- MHI-WhatWorks.pdf [528.48Kb]
With Health in Mind – Improving Mental Health in Scotland
2002 discussion paper from the Scottish Public Mental Health Alliance
- With_Health_in_Mind.pdf [248.73Kb]
Well? What do you think?
A national Scottish survey of public attitudes to mental health, mental wellbeing and mental health problems was designed in 2002 to track the progress of the National Programme and has been run twice to date. The third survey will be commissioned in September 2006. Findings to date are available:
Well? What do you think? (2002) Full Report
- 2002-public-attitudes-survey-report.pdf [689.00Kb]
Research Findings (2002)
- public-attitudes-survey-summary-2002.pdf [386.84Kb]
Well? What do you think? (2004) Full Report
Research Findings (2004)
- public-attitudes-survey-summary-2004.pdf [175.36Kb]
Children and Young People
Needs Assessment Report on Child and Adolescent Mental Health
2003 report from the Scottish Needs Assessment Programme.
- needs-assessment-report-2003.pdf [279.96Kb]
Children and Young People's Mental Health – A Framework for Promotion, Prevention and Care – analysis of consultation responses
Paper on responses gathered from children, young people and others during the Framework consultation.
- young-peoples-mental-health.pdf [712.62Kb]
Working Life
Work Positive Evaluation
Evaluation of the distribution and uptake of Work Positive in Scottish Workplaces
- work-positive-evaluation.pdf [834.20Kb]
Mental Health in the Workplace Workshop Training Pilot Evaluation
Evaluation of the pilot of Mental Health in the Workplace training programme.
- MHiWEvaluation.pdf [386.90Kb]
Later Life
Mental Health and Wellbeing in Later Life: Older People's Perceptions
- wellbeing-book.pdf [962.14Kb]
Mental Health and Wellbeing in Later Life – Stirling Workshops Report
Report of a Workshop held at the Stirling Management Centre: 10-11 March 03
- stirling-workshops-report.pdf [637.13Kb]
Mental Health and Wellbeing in Later Life – Regional Seminars Report
Report of a Regional Seminar Programme: April-May 04
- regional-seminars-report.pdf [788.73Kb]
Scotland's Mental Health First Aid
The Mental Health First Aid pilot stage ran from January to May 2004. The pilot was independently evaluated by York Consulting.
Full Report
- SMHFA-finalreport.pdf [471.70Kb]
Summary Report
- SMHFA-summaryreport.pdf [147.97Kb]
Suicide and Suicidal Behaviour
Suicide and Suicidal Behaviour – Establishing the Territory for a Series of Research Reviews
Results of a scoping study to identify gaps in current knowledge about suicide and suicide-related behaviour.
Full Report
- suicidal-behaviour-full-report.pdf [575.47Kb]
Summary Report
- suicidal-behaviour-summary.pdf [169.32Kb]
Epidemiology of Suicide in Scotland
This project was commissioned in October 2005 to provide reliable and up-to-date baseline information for monitoring and evaluation of suicide prevention implementation policy at national and local levels. The lead contractor was professor Stephen Platt from the University of Edinburgh's Research Unit in Health, Behaviour and Change. The final report and summary researchg findings can be downloaded below:
Full report
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/03/01145422/0
Summary report
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