Children and the elderly face a greater risk of negative health effects arising from exposure to air pollution. In this blog, Professor Martie van Tongeren explores the impacts of air pollutant exposure on children’s cognitive performance, working memory and attention control. He highlights policy interventions that can be implemented across schools, local authorities and the […]
Only a call away: Reducing loneliness and social isolation in older people
For many older people, the COVID-19 pandemic increased levels of loneliness and isolation. They were unable to visit friends and family, and access in-person support. Low levels of digital literacy among older people also prevented them from making the most of online support services. Here, Dr Lis Boulton assesses the effects that the pandemic had […]
LGBTIQ+ people in Brazil left to support themselves during COVID-19: vulnerabilities, coping strategies, and recommendations for more inclusive crisis policies
A version of this blog is available to read in Portuguese here. COVID-19 has brought huge change to society. However, the impacts have been different and disproportionate for different groups including LGBTIQ+ populations. As University of Manchester research has reported, there have been gaps in government and transnational responses in recognising and addressing those inequalities. […]
The impact of COVID-19 on Rochdale’s Pakistani communities
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light increased health risks among groups labelled Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME), exposing many stark inequalities. Lockdown measures are impacting all aspects of life, but differentially impacting students and families from disadvantaged areas. Here, Dr Sophina Choudry, Professor Erica Burman, Professor Julian Williams, Sidra Iftikhar and Dr Yasmeen […]
Acute inpatient wards: Time to implement psychological therapies
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended psychological therapies for severe mental health problems. Mental health trusts prioritise spending money for therapy on outpatient services instead of inpatient services, as ward staff often think that inpatients are ‘too unwell’ to benefit from talking-based treatments. In this blog, Katherine Berry and colleagues explain […]
Transport and logistics during the COVID-19 pandemic
While the majority of the population is urged to stay at home, the country is relying on the transport and logistics sector to maintain the delivery of goods, and most importantly food and medical supplies, which have seen a substantial increase in demand. People working in the haulage industry are identified as key workers given […]
Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people during the school closures
Following some of the latest Government announcements relating to COVID-19, the majority of children and young people will this week be getting used to not going to school. In this blog, Dr Terry Hanley discusses what this could mean for young people’s mental health and wellbeing. For years, face-to-face support has been the primary […]
The darker politics of wellbeing: the managerial abuse of ‘positive’ interventions at work
In this blog, Miguel Martínez Lucio, Professor in the Work and Equalities Institute and the Alliance Manchester Business School at The University of Manchester, discusses the ‘individualised’ approach to worker wellbeing and argues for a more collective approach that recognises the seriousness of mental health. Changing agendas in the workplace continue to undermine the regulatory […]
The Shared Society : wellbeing through participation and the need for research
The Prime Minister recently set out her vision for a new ‘shared society’ alongside her promise to transform mental health care. University of Manchester PHD researcher Susan Oman, questions Theresa May’s commitment to mental health research, how it presents opportunities to understand what a sharing society might be, and how it might support improved wellbeing. […]
How best to measure UK ‘success’
The current simplistic approach to measuring economic growth has led to policy being narrowly focused on headline measures of economic activity rather than achieving positive economic and social outcomes for the population, says Graham Whitham. Tomorrow, when the latest UK economic accounts are released for scrutiny, local planners and stakeholders will be keen to see […]