Developing knowledge translation mechanisms to advance Public Mental Health as a complex public health priority
Public Mental Health remains an under-developed area of policy and research, attracting limited attention and resource. One explanation of this is the complexity of mental health as a public health priority; mental health is influenced by multiple socioeconomic and environmental factors interacting with psychological and biological processes; and many sectors and organisations have a role to play in improving the population’s mental health. This synthesis explores a body of work that has aimed to overcome this complexity barrier through conceptual and empirical research to build knowledge and capacity within the public health system. The knowledge translation work took place within a national public health agency in England and, as such, contributes knowledge on mechanisms for developing and implementing evidence within a complex policy environment. This policy-oriented research shaped a new national public mental health programme, contributed knowledge on mental health complexity and system approaches and produced original knowledge translation tools to advance mental health as a public health priority. In developing knowledge translation mechanisms to advance Public Mental Health as a complex public health priority I firstly explore three underpinning themes: public mental health theory and policy, the need for a complex system approach to public mental health, and the importance of knowledge translation to public mental health. I describe why the research was undertaken, what knowledge gaps it filled and provide critical reflection and discussion on concepts, limitations, and the overall contribution of the body of work to knowledge and what gaps remain.
History
Qualification name
- PhD
Supervisor
Bagnall, Anne-MarieAwarding Institution
Leeds Beckett UniversityCompletion Date
2023-07-11Qualification level
- Doctoral
Language
- eng