Utilising community engagement approaches to influence public mental health policy in a rural setting
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-07-2018-0045 |
| Date | 31 July 2019 |
| Published date | 31 July 2019 |
| Pages | 169-178 |
| Author | Claire Thirlwall,Sandy Whitelaw |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Public mental health |
Utilising community engagement
approaches to influence public mental
health policy in a rural setting
Claire Thirlwall and Sandy Whitelaw
Abstract
Purpose –Drawing on the notionof ‘‘mental health policy participation’’, thepurpose of this paper is to
describe and reflect on a regional case study of a community engagement approach that explored
community perspectives on mental health and the factors that influence it. It established three
expectations, that: the development of the Dumfries and Galloway Public Mental Health Strategy is
informed by project outputs; services and innovations are based on what people want; active
involvementof local people in decision making aroundmental health services and strategy isachieved.
Design/methodology/approach –A ‘‘participatory appraisal’’ approach was used to engage with
communities. A three-day ‘‘Training of Trainers’’ exercise was undertaken. These individuals then
accesseda number of community groups. Data collectionwas based on five key questions. A total of 443
were engaged in the process. Insights were reviewed by 20 stakeholders from a range of services to
identify key actions.This led to the development of the mental health forumand, in turn, a Public Mental
Health Strategy for Dumfries and Galloway. Community members were further included in processes
throughfeedback mechanisms.
Findings –Factors of resilience, support of families and friends, social inclusion,access to social and
leisure opportunitieswere most important. This was followed by structural issueslike fear of judgement,
lack of transport, discrimination and financial support. Finally, individual factors (sleep, meaningful
hobbiesand health) were highlighted.
Originality/value –This approachsought to go beyond a traditionalfocus to explore broader community
perspectiveson mental health and the factorsthat influence it.
Keywords Public mental health, Community engagement
Paper type Case study
Background
Enhancing mental health and reducing the prevalence of mental illness has become a m ajor
public health priority for Scotland (Scottish Government/COSLA, 2018). This is seen to be
significant in its own right and is also considered to be associated with a rangeof other issues
such as physical health and various health lifestyles such as phy sical activity, smoking and
alcohol use (ScotPHO, 2017). Furthermore, the association between poor mental health and
broader health inequalities is also noted, particularly that arising from the social
disconnectedness that can be both the cause and consequence of poor mental he alth (Mental
Health Foundation, 2018). Finally, in the context of this case study, the particular impact that
living in rural areas has on mental health is noted, for example, the potential stigma that comes
with the visibility of living in small communities hindering people from accessing help and
support as well as access to services in respect of distance required for travel (SAMH, 2012).
These themes have provided a foundation upon which a “global mental health” orientation
(Cohen et al., 2014) has emerged thatlocates mental health in a social context and seeks to
Claire Thirlwall is based at
DG Health and Wellbeing,
Directorate of Public
Health, Dumfries, UK.
Sandy Whitelaw is based at
the School of
Interdisciplinary Studies,
University of Glasgow
Dumfries Campus,
Dumfries, UK.
Received 26 July 2018
Revised 19 December 2018
Accepted 12 February 2019
DOI 10.1108/JPMH-07-2018-0045 VOL. 19 NO. 2 2020, pp. 169-178, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1746-5729 jJOURNAL OF PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH jPAGE 169
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