Public mental health

Our framework for action report highlights the critical intersection between physical weight and mental wellbeing, noting that obesity significantly lowers life expectancy, particularly for individuals with severe mental illnesses (SMI), and contributes heavily to chronic health issues in Wales.

The report addresses how broader environmental factors (such as the cost-of-living crisis, unhealthy food marketing, and a lack of green spaces in deprived areas), alongside side effects from psychotropic medications, compound the risk of weight gain for people with mental health conditions.

To bridge the gap in care, the framework outlines key recommendations centered around early intervention, cross-sector leadership, and integrated pathways. It calls for regular physical health checks and proactive medication reviews, clearer local weight management support, and better data collection to track outcomes.

Ultimately, the framework advocates for a holistic, non-stigmatising approach that considers external determinants, like local food environments and safe spaces for physical activity, to better support the long-term health of people living with mental health conditions in Wales.

The framework was written jointly with the Public Mental Health Implementation Centre.

Our framework for action report highlights the proven therapeutic benefits of regular movement in managing and improving both common mental health problems and severe mental illnesses (SMI). 

The report details how physical activity can reduce symptom severity, enhance emotional resilience, and support recovery across various settings, including community initiatives, secure units, and prisons. However, it notes that integrating movement into standard care remains hindered by systemic barriers such as insufficient funding, a lack of specialised staff training, and low baseline confidence or physical health among patients.

To overcome these obstacles, the framework outlines actionable commitments for system leaders, commissioners, and healthcare providers.

It advocates for person-centred, evidence-informed approaches that prioritise community led co-design, adequate resourcing, and the inclusion of qualified physical activity professionals within mental health pathways.

By actively involving local populations and individuals with lived experience, the framework aims to embed sustainable physical activity into routine mental health services across Wales to improve overall health outcomes.

The framework was written jointly with the Public Mental Health Implementation Centre.

Our framework for action report addresses the stark health inequalities experienced by individuals with mental health conditions, noting that smoking rates among this group are disproportionately high (around 33% for those with mental health challenges and over 40% for those with severe mental illnesses, compared to roughly 14% in the general population).

This disparity is a primary driver of the severe 7 to 23-year lower life expectancy seen in people with severe mental illnesses. The report confronts common misconceptions held by healthcare staff, such as the belief that smoking cessation is futile for psychiatric patients or outside the remit of mental health care, and emphasises that most individuals with mental health conditions want to quit and can succeed with the right support.

To drive meaningful change, the framework sets out three core priorities: dispelling staff misperceptions through training (such as motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care), improving the enforcement and integration of smoke-free policies and quitting strategies within mental health settings, and closing critical data gaps regarding smoking prevalence. It recommends upskilling the mental health workforce, expanding access to multiple smoking cessation aids and nicotine replacement therapies, and strengthening pathways into national programs like Help Me Quit.

By fostering cross-sector leadership and embedding smoking support into routine mental health care, the framework aims to reduce premature mortality and build a healthier, fairer Wales.

The framework was written jointly with the Public Mental Health Implementation Centre.