A Year of Evidence 2023/24 - Mental Health and Wellbeing
4 December
In the first year of the Health and Care Research Wales Evidence Centre, we have conducted several critical studies focused on mental health and wellbeing. These studies have been carried out with the expertise and support of our stakeholders, collaborating partners and our public membership group. Below, we highlight a few key projects that aim to improve wellbeing in Wales and offer evidence-based insights for decision-makers.
All our research reports are made available to everyone online. The reports include a 2-page Executive Summary summarising the findings, research gaps, and policy and practice implications. Click the following links for information about each study, including helpful lay summaries and infographics.
Measuring mental health in a cost-of-living crisis: a rapid review
Collaborating partner: Health Technology Wales
Since 2021, rising inflation in the UK has created a cost-of-living crisis, with many households finding that wages and welfare simply haven’t kept up with surging prices. For those affected, the financial strain has also brought a mental health toll. The Evidence Centre conducted a rapid review to assess how economic pressures impact mental health, identifying specific groups of people most at risk and analysing what methods could best capture this information.
The review revealed a concerning trend: individuals from lower-income and vulnerable backgrounds are experiencing a disproportionate mental health impact. In Wales, where poverty rates are especially high, the findings highlight the urgency for targeted mental health responses. With childhood poverty linked to lifelong mental health risks, the economic burden is likely to have long-lasting effects across generations.
The findings offer guidance for those in health policy and practice, underscoring the need for precise, inclusive measures to capture and respond to the mental health challenges linked to economic hardship.
Mental Health and Inequalities: What works to support better access to mental health services (from primary care to inpatients) for minority groups to reduce inequalities?
Collaborative partner: Cardiff Evidence Synthesis Collaborative
In March 2024, the Evidence Centre conducted a rapid evidence summary aiming to explore which interventions work to improve equal access, engagement and use and provision of mental health services for minority groups.
Inequalities in accessing mental health services are a critical societal issue. Research shows that ethnic minority groups often face more access obstacles and poorer mental health outcomes than non-ethnic minority groups. To help bridge this gap, evidence-based interventions that enhance access, engagement, and service provision for these groups are essential. The Evidence Centre therefore set out to explore which interventions are most effective at improving equal access, engagement, and utilisation of mental health services for ethnic minority communities.
The review findings emphasiesd a broad range of recommendations aimed at increasing equality in mental health care access, some of which included cultural and language adaptations and healthcare professional training.
Improving mental health care access for ethnic minority communities requires a sustained and evidence-based approach, one that breaks down barriers and ensures mental health support is accessible, inclusive, and effective for all.
A rapid review of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of interventions that make homes warmer and cheaper to heat for households in fuel poverty in rural and remote areas
Collaborative partner: Wales Centre for Evidence Based Care
With rising energy costs and the growing need for sustainable housing, research from the Evidence Centre offers critical insights into interventions that can make homes both warmer and more affordable to heat. The Evidence Centre conducted a review to explore a variety of solutions to help guide future policies on housing and energy. There was a focus on solutions suitable for various house types and demographics, supporting lower-income households and enhancing energy efficiency.
The findings suggest interventions—such as improving insulation, upgrading heating systems, and providing energy-saving advice—can significantly reduce heating costs for households while also enhancing comfort levels. Some of the interventions were particularly beneficial for vulnerable groups, helping to address issues of fuel poverty and contributing to overall health and well-being.
With energy bills impacting families across Wales, these findings underline the importance of accessible and affordable heating interventions that not only make homes warmer but also support sustainable living for future generations.