For professionals

Developing a shared understanding of mental wellbeing

Mental wellbeing is essentially about how we think, feel and act. Mental wellbeing affects everyone, and our experience of it can impact – either positively or negatively – our overall health and wellbeing.

Public Health Wales has developed a conceptual framework for mental wellbeing to help build a shared understanding of the factors that influence individual and community wellbeing. The content on the explaining wellbeing page is based on this framework.

Components of good mental wellbeing

The Mental Wellbeing and Health Outcomes model shows that individual mental wellbeing has five broad components and community wellbeing, which refers to collective life in a community, has three. A number of concepts are grouped under each of these aspects to give us an overall picture of the components of good mental wellbeing.

In summary, how we think, feel and act are influenced by a number of factors at both an individual level but also by the community in which people live, work, play and learn.

Wider influences on mental wellbeing

The model also identifies risk factors that can have a negative impact on mental wellbeing; these are known as wider determinants of health. These include factors such as income, education and housing.

It also recognises that what has happened to individuals in the past or what’s happening to them can influence their current mental wellbeing and how they respond to current or future stresses.

If past or present traumatic experiences are affecting people you support, they may benefit from speaking with a mental health professional.

Promoting mental wellbeing

Improving mental wellbeing in Wales is essential if we are to narrow the inequalities gap and see improvements in overall health.

Developing a shared understanding of mental wellbeing is an important part of that journey. This is because it enables professionals to reflect on their role in promoting different aspects of mental wellbeing, e.g. creating an environment where people feel empowered and can influence decisions that affect their life or encouraging individuals to try new things and recognising the effort as a way of building self-efficacy.

What does the evidence tell us?

There is a growing body of evidence relating to the role of leisure time – which includes hobbies such as arts and creativity, engagement in culture and heritage, and connecting with nature – promotes positive mental wellbeing.

How do leisure activities help our mental wellbeing?

Evidence shows how important the activities we do in our free time are and how they can shape our health and wellbeing.

Being social is crucial

The evidence also tells us that social connection is really important for good mental wellbeing. The National Survey for Wales (2022-23) found an average of 13% of respondents stated feeling lonely (always or often). But there are differences across the socioeconomic gradient, with 34% of respondents living in material deprivation stating they were lonely, compared to 9% who were not materially deprived.

Loneliness is not only a risk factor for poor mental health but also for poor physical health outcomes. Frequent feelings of loneliness have been associated with increased risks of circulatory disease and early death, to the same or greater extent as smoking, obesity and physical inactivity.

According to Brené Brown, in her book, Atlas of the Heart (chapter 9, pages 176-186), meaningful social connection is important to overall health and wellbeing.

How you can help

Take the opportunity to ask people about their mental wellbeing, about how they are feeling.

It’s often worth asking twice to allow for the standard “I’m fine” response, but then prompting further.

Help us to develop a shared understanding about mental wellbeing with the public by talking to them about the things that can affect mental wellbeing and what can be done to help protect and improve it.

Help people to take action

Encourage individuals to make time to do the activities that matter to them, such as going for a walk with family and friends or listening to music they enjoy.

You can also encourage individuals to take part in activities that are creative – be it baking, knitting, arts or crafts, or encouraging them to try an outdoor activity like walking or gardening. Encouragement from a trusted individual can make a big difference in helping people to take the first step.

Encourage individuals to connect more in their community and join in some of the activities that enhance life in their local area.

Consider signposting individuals to a social prescriber or community connector service in your area if they feel they might need a little help to find activities in their area.