Robust wellbeing

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper arose out of a Public Mental Health Network meeting in September 2015 and a suggestion then by the editor of the British Journal of Psychiatry. The British Journal of Psychiatry had just published an editorial by the chief medical officer for England that challenged the current concept of wellbeing, within health policy.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is structured around three key elements of the chief medical officer’s challenge to the concept of “wellbeing”: has wellbeing been scientifically defined? Does improving wellbeing prevent mental illness? Is there any robust, peer-reviewed evidence to support a wellbeing “approach” to mental health?

Findings

Wellbeing is definable provided there is recognition that it has multiple dimensions. At least some of these dimensions relate to health, with most published research focused on personal wellbeing.

Originality/value

This policy analysis addresses the three questions above, within the context of mental health improvement and training for public mental health.

Citation

Caan, W. (2016), "Robust wellbeing", Journal of Public Mental Health, Vol. 15 No. 3, pp. 141-149. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-07-2016-0029