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Mental Wellbeing in Wales (2020)



Mental wellbeing in Wales is designed to support the delivery of objectives related to Public Health Wales’ strategic priority, Improving mental wellbeing and building resilience outlined in the Integrated Medium Term Plan (IMTP)

The mental wellbeing interactive profile presents a range of indicators on mental wellbeing and mental wellbeing scores for adults and secondary school-aged children. The data originate from surveys including the National Survey for Wales, Annual Population Survey, and the School Health Research Network. 

Key Messages

  • Rates of people reporting high life satisfaction, feeling that life is worthwhile and happiness appears to have risen in Wales between 2013 and 2018. However, these rates are often lower than the rates in the other three UK nations. 
  • Higher percentages of positive wellbeing were noted among respondents who were employed compared to unemployed. 
  • Lower percentages of high mental wellbeing were noted in respondents living in rented accommodation. 
  • Adult males were more likely to report experiencing low levels of anxiety. 
  • Secondary school-aged children in Vale of Glamorgan and Gwynedd reported the highest average Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS) scores. 
  • Younger secondary school-aged children, boys and children with high family affluence reported higher mental wellbeing. Proportionately more of these children said that they did not feel lonely during summer. They were also more likely to report a high life satisfaction, and sufficient family emotional support. 
  • School mental health support showed no particular pattern by sex or family affluence, but more than a quarter of young people did not feel they had mental health support at school. 

Explore Data Further

Users can explore the data further with breakdowns available by: 

  • geography; 
  • demographic characteristics; 
  • deprivation; 
  • socio-economic characteristics; 
  • cross-tabulations with other indicators related to wellbeing

Trends are also included for the results of questions on personal wellbeing for the UK nations.

The profile is structured with tabs for adult personal wellbeing; child personal wellbeing; and evidence.*

*The evidence tab is due to be populated later this year. 

Access The Data

Further details about each chart is available via the integrated, expandable technical guide below each chart.

Click here to view the publication in a new browser window

Get in touch 

We are always looking to improve on the products we produce to ensure that they are user-friendly. If you have any comments or feedback on the mental wellbeing profile, then please get in touch with us by emailing:  publichealthwalesobservatory@wales.nhs.uk