Appraisal of Scottish Public Policy and Mental Health
Author Information
Author(s): Mark Petticrew, Stephen Platt, Allyson McCollam, Sarah Wilson, Sian Thomas
Primary Institution: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
How do current Scottish policies impact mental health and wellbeing?
Conclusion
Effective public policy for mental health requires better intersectoral collaboration and the use of research evidence.
Supporting Evidence
- Most policy documents did not refer directly to mental health.
- Interviews highlighted barriers to effective policymaking.
- There is a need for better use of research evidence in policy decisions.
Takeaway
This study looked at how government policies in Scotland affect mental health and found that many policies don't consider mental health enough.
Methodology
The study involved reviewing policy documents and conducting in-depth interviews with policymakers.
Potential Biases
There may be an optimistic bias in policy documents that emphasizes positive impacts while overlooking negative ones.
Limitations
The study's findings may be limited by the lack of explicit references to mental health in many policy documents.
Participant Demographics
Senior policymakers from various Scottish Government departments.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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