Tackling inequalities in the community boosts wellbeing

New guidance from The British Psychological Society (BPS) suggests that extra support to allow communities to tackle inequalities together can improve wellbeing. The BPS is building on the NHS community mental health framework which focuses on a ‘whole person’ and ‘whole population approach’.

Written by Bryony Porteous-Sebouhian

How inequalities can interact with mental health

Lead author of the new guidance and chair of the BPS’ Community Psychology Section, Carl Harris discussed how the constant “pressure and stress of poverty” can result in long lasting impact on a person’s mental health.

He also pointed out that, “In the UK wealthier people live 10 years longer and enjoy an extra 20 years of healthy life than those in poverty*. Mental health inequalities are often due to social and material causes, so they can only be effectively addressed through wider action on social inequalities.”

What does the guidance say and do for service leaders and health commissioners?

The BPS guidance offers support and recommendations on how partnerships can be made with communities and community organisations. The guidance also includes links to ‘relevant research’ and provides leaders and commissioners with examples of initiatives that have succeeded in helping marginalised communities by responding to adversity as a community.

The British Psychological Society is also providing psychologists and commissioners with the opportunity to join a community of practice, encouraging practitioners and professionals to support each other in implementing new approaches.

Launched at an event on BPS’ new #Makeit10 campaign, which focuses on social class and class-based inequalities, it is also seeking to include social class as a ‘protected characteristic’ within the UK Equality Act.

On this campaign, Carl Harris noted that class-based discrimination “has negative impacts on people’s life chances, widens health inequalities and limits opportunities.”

“In order to truly ‘level up’, eliminating the discrimination associated with social class is vital.” He concluded.