Health and Social Research Skills

This study material focuses on health and social research skills, specifically on mental health policies. It discusses the choice of policy, how evidence is used to measure its success, and what the evidence reveals about the policy. The analysis and evaluation of the policy in light of the evidence found are also discussed.

Health and social
research skills

Contents
Health and social research skills......................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Choice of policy.....................................................................................................................3
Explanation of how the evidence will measure the success of the policy..............................4
What the evidence says of the policy.....................................................................................6
Analysis and evaluate the policy in light of the evidence found............................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Health of an individual clearly specifies mental and physical condition of the person. With
the passing course of time people are becoming more conscious towards their health so that they
can live better lifestyle without any sickness (Senior, Fazel and Tsiachristas, 2020). Government
of every nation is taking several initiatives for improving health condition of people or
facilitating them advanced forms of facilities through which they can easily find out better
solution or treatment towards their health condition. The present investigation is based on mental
health policy developed by UK government in the form of initiative by which they can easily
improvise the health condition. Mental health is seen as the most important part of every
individual’s life which clearly specifies that how effectively they are tackling things. This report
will clearly measure the success of mental health policy of UK along with the reason in the form
of evidences. Here, analysis would be clearly done with usage of qualitative and quantitative
form of data.
Choice of policy
Mental health policy is seen as the official statement developed by the government which
provides direction to the mental health of individual along with the vision, values, objectives,
principles which are expressed in order to accomplish them in quicker manner. Here, it is
essential for the health sector as it supports in coordinating vision, services and programmed
associated with the mental health of the person (Moth, 2020). This simply includes certain
official governmental guidelines that are developed so that appropriate action of direction which
will lead to improvement of the mental health of the individuals. This policy document simply
includes ranges of terms such as
 Coordination
 Organization of services
 Financing
 Essential medicines procurement & distribution
 Promotion, prevention, treatment & rehabilitation,
 Information systems
 Human resources & training
 Research & evaluation

 Intersectoral collaboration
 Quality Improvement
 Advocacy
The mental health policy have been chosen as the main policy which would be evaluated in
detailed manner in order to check that whether it is being successfully implemented in the UK or
not. Outcome of this policy could be effectively checked by measuring number of society took
place in UK. It has been later analysed that lifestyle of UK is highly busy which simply means
that mental pressure among these people are increasing day by day (Golightley and Goemans,
2020). This mental pressure is not only affecting life of the people at the initial level but at the
same time it is placing major impact over their health at distinctive level which ultimately leads
to the development of mental stability issue among people which is ultimately influencing these
people to suicide. Number of suicide cases in UK is increasing day by day. The main identified
reason behind this is mental pressure among individuals which is ultimately influencing these
people to commit suicide.
In order to implement mental health policies people associated to this effectively makes
use of mental health plan that is further supportive in developing strategies and activities so that
they can implement it according to the vision they are planning to accomplish. Implementation
of this policy also requires a good budget, adequate level of time. Before implementing this
strategy in adequate manner health care practitioners initially emphasises on developing their
understanding on the mental health needs of the people. After determining this, another motive
of practitioners is to check availability of the resources in terms of financial & human resource
Explanation of how the evidence will measure the success of the policy
The government has placed remarkable initiative with the introduction of this mental
health policy within UK in order to maintain the mental state and conditions. The measurement
of success of this policy can be done on the basis of evidence that is present as statistics emerged
out of evaluating the direct outcomes (Spaducci, McNeill, Hubbard, Stewart, Yates and Robson,
2020). In relation to 2018, it has been found out that there were a total 6859 suicides that took
place within the confines of United Kingdom along with the Republic of Ireland. Further, it has
been determined for the same year that 6507 suicide were acknowledged to have passed through
the process of registration and successfully cleared it within the confines of United Kingdom and
in this regard, 352 suicides take place within the Republic of Ireland only alone. Along with this,

the suicide rate within the peripheral boundaries of Northern Ireland is regarded to have been the
highest within United Kingdom. Out of this, 25-29 year old men have secured the highest suicide
rates. In addition to this, the highest suicide rates within the territory of United Kingdom as well
as England are acknowledged to be within the men of age group 45 to 49 years. Further, there
has been a drastic increment in the suicides within the confines of UK, for the very first time
since the year 2013, this tends to be driven by an acceleration in the suicide rate of males. Within
the boundaries of United Kingdom, suicide rate has been acknowledged to be constantly inflating
within the young individuals of the nation over the course of time. In relation to this, the suicide
rates within young female individuals are currently at peak or at the highest level (Sturmey,
2020).
As per this data, it is alarming to witness such an increment in the number of suicides
taking place within the boundaries of United Kingdom, for males as well as females. The overall
increment occurred within the rate owes to be driven by the increment that has been witnessed in
the suicides being observed or taken place within males of the nation (Calnan, 2020). In contrary
to this, the constant decrement that has been witnessed in the rates of suicides within the
boundaries of the Republic of Ireland has been encouraging. In this regard, it has been identified
that the males prevailing within the confines of United Kingdom are 3 times more likely to take
their lives than the females within the same country. With respect to this, middle age men within
the nation are posed to greater risk of suicide than the other individuals. Previous researches have
also revealed that there are a number of unique factors that tend to affect the middle aged men.
Within the territory of the United Kingdom, rates of suicides have increased within the females
belonging to the age group 45 to 49 years. Some of the factors which led to attempt of such a
step by the individuals are acknowledged to be self harm and academic pressures. Suicide is a
preventable act and that is why the Mental Health Policy has been introduced by the government.
However, it has been noted that the initiative undertaken by the government has not been
effective enough to decrease the suicide rates over the course of time (Mladovsky, 2020). Thus,
evidences related to measurement of the policy imply that a stronger action needs to be
undertaken by the government so that mental state as well as wellness of individuals can be
ensured. It can also be said that amendments can be made to the existing mental health policy of
United Kingdom so that the negative outcomes can be controlled in an effective manner.

What the evidence says of the policy
In order to determine the detailed information on mental health policy of England it can be
said that lots of information have been gathered on the proposed suicide rate of UK so that it can
be easily analysed that whether the policy have been effectively implemented or not (Solar and
Smith, 2020). and if it has been implemented in the better manner then the outcome obtained
from this are in favourable condition or not. Here, it has been analysed that suicide and self harm
are not mental health problem but in actually they are related with the mental distress.
Figure 1: Scotland recorded the highest suicide rates in Britain, 2018
(Source: Scotland recorded the highest suicide rates in Britain, 2018)

Here, it has been analysed that in the year 2018 almost 6507 deaths has been seen in UK.
The overall rate was around 11.2 deaths per 100000 people. It has been later seen that these rates
are different in different nations of UK that is 16.1 deaths per 100000 people in Scotland, 18.6
deaths per 100000 people in Northern Ireland, 12.8 deaths per 100000 people in Wales, 10.3
deaths per 100000 people in England (Mental health statistics: suicide, 2020). Also, the study
reveals that here almost three quarters men are accounted for UK deaths by suicide.
Apart from this, it has been analysed that suicide rates in UK have been constantly
increasing since 2002. It has been later analysed that the number of young people are more as
compared to the other age groups (Prince, Stewart, Ford and Das-Munshi, 2020). Here it has also
been seen that the proportion of men in suicide rate are higher as compared to the women. It has
also been seen that suicide rate in UK are increasing constantly but the biggest hike have been
seen in the year 2017 which raised according to 686 more than from the year 2017. This clearly
depicts that suicide is now seen as the major public health issue which is constantly increasing
with the passing period of time.
Figure 2: Male suicide rates in the UK climbed significantly in 2018 from a record low the
previous year. 2018.

(Source: Male suicide rates in the UK climbed significantly in 2018 from a record low the
previous year. 2018.)
On the basis of above specified graph, it has been analysed that there are number of male
in suicide cases are more than females which clearly depicts that males in UK are more stressed
out which is ultimately placing pressure to commit suicide (Chen, 2020). Apart from this, the
data also reveals that males belonging to the age group of 45 to 49 years had the highest age-
specific suicide rate that is 27.1 deaths per 100000 males whereas the the specified age group for
the female is also 45 - 49 whose suicide rate is almost 9.2 deaths per 100000. Along with this, it
has been later seen that common pattern of suicide in UK is hanging which is being followed by
around 59.4% of males whereas 45% of females.
While measuring all of the revealed data towards mental health policy of England with
the motive measuring its success rate of this policy it can be said that health care sector as well
as government of UK are collaboratively taking initiative with the motive of improvising mental
health condition of the people so that death rate increasing day by day with the passing period of
time. This simply depicts that people are not getting higher level of benefits with the
implementation of mental health policy in UK as number of suicides are increasing day by day.
Analysis and evaluate the policy in light of the evidence found
It has been identified that there are different type of mental health policy framed by
government of United Kingdom in order to provide effective Mental Health Care facility to each
and every individual. But however all these policy does not proof effective, as this has been
identified from significant increase in suicide and self harm rate in the provinces of United
Kingdom (Onyett, Linde, Glover, Floyd, Bradley and Middleton, 2020).
. However it has been noted that self-harm and suicide are not mental health problem but
however they are linked with mental distress. As per according to the statistics of, mental health
statistics of United Kingdom in the year 2018, it has been denoted that death rate by suicide were
increased by 23.7%. These data differentiate all across UK and the highest rate was observed in
Northern Ireland.
In addition to this death rate by suicide in United Kingdom rose by 10.9% in the year 2018
in which highest suicidal rate is among men age 45 to 49 comparatively to women in United
Kingdom. In this it has been identified that, it is essential for mental health policy makers to
formulate health care policies in order to provide benefits for long period of time. According to

the significant increase in death rate by suicide in society from passing many years it has been
determined that it is essential need to improve mental health care by collaborating with different
mental research analysis in order to evaluate data and main reason of suicides in order to trigger
then with effective policies (Wade, Mann, Copeland and Steele, 2020). According to the current
mental health policies model of mental health it has been determined that it does not provide
adequate results to address complex challenges that are prevailing in mental illness. It further
leads towards radical change in practices and policies of mental health care in order to provide
efficient care delivery to individuals and shape the future of mental health in significant manner.
As per according to many statistics this has been evaluated that United Kingdom existing
mental health care model and treatments that are available fails to effectively address crisis of
mental health care. It has been determined from the rise in suicidal rates, for this it is essential to
have effective governance and leadership for mental health and implement strategies to
maximise social care services and strengthening evidence information system and research.
Ineffectiveness in adequate mental healthcare identified from significant increase in
individuals rate of suicide and mental illness among individuals in a faster rate. Along with this
has been evaluated that nowadays there is rise in mental health problem among youngsters as
there are mainly 70% of young people who are experiencing mental health issues and suffering
from anxiety and depression. It has been evaluated that from past many years youngsters are
facing long-term physical illness, self harm, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, eating
disorder and Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). In addition with this according to the data it
has been identified that there is a significant increase in children and youngsters seeking help
from child and adolescent mental health services in England, this rate goes double from past 2
years (Spaducci, McNeill, Hubbard, Stewart, Yates and Robson, 2020). Thus, according to the
above evaluation, in order to overcome ineffectiveness in mental health care policies and
practices it is essential to frame significant measures by taking assistance of national surveys
conducted each year around Britain. In addition to this, delays in NHS mental health treatment
are adversely affecting lives of many individuals. Long waits for mental health support can be
both costly and distressing for people. Thus by taking all these measures into concern it is
significantly essential to frame or update current health care policies.

CONCLUSION
On the basis of overall discussion made on the above specified report, it has been
determined that there are mental health state of the individual plays essential role in their overall
life expectancy. It has been later analysed that increasing pressure among individuals are directly
affecting mental stability of the person which is ultimately placing major influence over their
health conditions too. The overall information depicts that government of UK is required to
revise their mental health policy as it is not that much successful as it does not contributes in
improving mental health condition. For improving this effectively, government needs to analyze
overall outcomes of the previous policy so that appropriate decision towards the modification
can be taken in appropriate manner.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Senior, M., Fazel, S. and Tsiachristas, A., 2020. The economic impact of violence perpetration in
severe mental illness: a retrospective, prevalence-based analysis in England and
Wales. The Lancet Public Health, 5(2), pp.e99-e106.
Moth, R., 2020. ‘The business end’: Neoliberal policy reforms and biomedical residualism in
frontline community mental health practice in England. Competition &
Change, 24(2), pp.133-153.
Golightley, M. and Goemans, R., 2020. Social work and mental health. Learning Matters.
Spaducci, G., McNeill, A., Hubbard, K., Stewart, D., Yates, M. and Robson, D., 2020. Smoking‐
related violence in a mental health setting following the implementation of a
comprehensive smoke‐free policy: A content analysis of incident
reports. International journal of mental health nursing, 29(2), pp.202-211.
Sturmey, P. ed., 2020. Functional analysis in clinical treatment. Academic Press.
Calnan, M., 2020. Mental Health Policy and an Epidemic of Misery. In Health Policy, Power
and Politics: Sociological Insights. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Mladovsky, P., 2020. Security over health: the effect of security policies on migrant mental
health in the UK. In Health Policy and Systems Responses to Forced Migration (pp.
141-155). Springer, Cham.
Solar, C. and Smith, M., 2020. Austerity and governance: coordinating policing and mental
health policy in the UK. Policy Studies, pp.1-18.
Prince, M., Stewart, R., Ford, T. and Das-Munshi, J. eds., 2020. Practical psychiatric
epidemiology. Oxford University Press, USA.
Chen, X., 2020. Social media mental health analysis framework through applied computational
approaches (Doctoral dissertation, Loughborough University).
Onyett, S., Linde, K., Glover, G., Floyd, S., Bradley, S. and Middleton, H., 2020. A national
survey of crisis resolution teams in England.
Wade, M., Mann, S., Copeland, R.J. and Steele, J., 2020. Effect of exercise referral schemes
upon health and well-being: initial observational insights using individual patient data
meta-analysis from the National Referral Database. J Epidemiol Community
Health, 74(1), pp.32-41.
Spaducci, G., McNeill, A., Hubbard, K., Stewart, D., Yates, M. and Robson, D., 2020. Response
to Commentary on Smoking-related violence in a mental health setting following the
implementation of a comprehensive smoke-free policy: A content analysis of incident
reports (Spaducci et al, 2019). International journal of mental health nursing.
Online
Mental health statistics: suicide. 2020. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-suicide>.
Suicide statistics and trends for the UK and Republic of Ireland. 2018. [Online]. Available
Through: <https://www.samaritans.org/about-samaritans/research-policy/suicide-facts-and-
figures/>.

Suicides rates in UK increase to highest level since 2002. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/sep/03/suicides-rates-in-uk-increase-to-highest-
level-since-2002>.