Office for Health Promotion Mindfulness 2021-06-08
2021-06-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from a discussion on the government's plans to promote mental and physical health through mindfulness.
What steps the Office for Health Promotion plans to take to promote mindfulness in supporting good health.
Work on the scope and organisation design of the Office for Health Promotion is ongoing. We will present more detail on our plans for the OHP in due course. Public Health England's “Better Health—Every Mind Matters” social marketing campaign aims to inform and equip the public to look after their mental health. Its NHS-endorsed website offers guidance on actions people can take to improve mental wellbeing, including mindfulness and reflection.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps or strategies for promoting mindfulness were not detailed.
Work Is Ongoing
We Will Present More Detail In Due Course
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question stems from evidence showing that mindfulness can help with obesity, eating behaviors, addiction, mental health, and wellbeing.
Research shows that mindfulness training can contribute to improvements in obesity, eating behaviours, addiction and mental health and wellbeing. Will the Minister ensure that the Office for Health Promotion looks at the evidence of how mindfulness can help with how we all manage our health?
There is emerging evidence on the mental health benefits of mindfulness, which can take the form of meditation or wider approaches that incorporate a mindful approach. We focus on separating out mental illness and wellbeing and mindfulness: mental illness needs intense clinical intervention in NHS services, but also looking at mindfulness and wellbeing. “Every Mind Matters” facilities are available.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to review evidence was not made.
Emerging Evidence
Focus On Separating Out Mental Illness
Response accuracy