A recent report entitled “The role of local government in promoting wellbeing” written by nef (the new economics foundation) is interesting reading. This report examines how local government can support a better life for its citizens to help build resilient communities, both now and in the long term.
The following extracts emphasises the importance of psycho-social wellbeing:
“Psycho-social wellbeing is people’s sense of how their lives are going, and the strength of relationships that sustain community life, are strongly influenced by psychological and social wellbeing: Having a positive outlook in life and feeling good about oneself – the elements that make up emotional wellbeing – directly promote a more positive experience of life."
The following extracts emphasises the importance of psycho-social wellbeing:
“Psycho-social wellbeing is people’s sense of how their lives are going, and the strength of relationships that sustain community life, are strongly influenced by psychological and social wellbeing: Having a positive outlook in life and feeling good about oneself – the elements that make up emotional wellbeing – directly promote a more positive experience of life."
“The factors driving both material and psycho-social wellbeing are not equally distributed among local populations. Some individuals or population groups live in better-quality housing than others. Some have fewer money concerns. Some have stronger support networks. Some feel valued, respected and included in a way that others do not. Some have the time and facilities they need to engage in activities to promote their wellbeing. Wellbeing is highly dependent, therefore, on the distribution of social, economic and environmental resources in any population. The prevalence of social or cultural discrimination (on grounds of social class, gender or ethnicity, for example) impedes equality in the distribution of social determinants of wellbeing."
One of their "online contributions (www.idea. gov.uk/wellbeing) Lynne Friedli distinguishes between “efforts to address the symptoms of inequality - for example, the steep social gradient in health and education – and the wider strategic challenge of reducing the gap between rich and poor”. Research suggests that high levels of inequality are damaging to communities and society as a whole. There is growing evidence that relative deprivation and social injustice erode mental wellbeing and increase stress, and some have argued that the differences between us put a strain on social relations, by reducing trust and interaction. The conclusion from all this is clear: local government cannot improve the wellbeing of its local population without directly addressing inequalities."
Source: Above extracts from page 11 and 12 of report referred to.
