Scottish Health Survey 2019: summary report

Chapter 2 Mental Wellbeing

The mean WEMWBS score for adults in 2019 was 49.8.

Mental wellbeing was higher amongst older than younger adults in 2019.

Differences in the WEMWBS mean scores by area deprivation continued to be evident in 2019.

17% of adults had a GHQ-12 score of four or more* in 2019; prevalence has fluctuated between 14% and 19% since 2003.

As in previous years, women were more likely than men to record a GHQ-12 score of four or more*.

• All adults 17%
• Men 15%
• Woman 19%

Rates of depression**, anxiety**, attempted suicide and self-harm were at their highest levels in 2018/2019 combined.

* Indicative of a possible psychiatric disorder.
** In 2012, there was a change in mode from nurse interview to self-completion data collection.

In 2018/2019 combined, the prevalence of depression, anxiety, attempted suicide and self-harm were highest amongst those living in the most deprived areas.

In 2019, women were signicantly more likely to have reported feeling lonely (often/all of the time) in the last two weeks compared with men.

• 10% All adults
• 9% Men
• 12% Women

Prevalence of loneliness in the last two weeks (often/all of the time) was higher among younger people, particularly among women.

• 12% Men aged 16–24
• 21% Women aged 16–24

Those living in the most deprived areas were more likely to have reported feeling lonely 'often/all of the time' in the last 2 weeks than those living in the least deprived areas.

In 2019, adults who felt lonely 'often/all of the time' in the last two weeks had lower mental wellbeing (WEMWBS mean score) than those who 'rarely/never' felt lonely.

• 37.8 Adults who felt lonely 'often/all of the time'
• 52.9 Adults who 'rarely/never' felt lonely

In 2016– 2019 combined, boys aged 13–15 had higher mental wellbeing (WEMWBS mean score) than girls in the same age group.

Ages 13-15

• Children 51.0
• Boys 52.0
• Girls 49.9

24% of children lived with at least one parent with a GHQ-12 score of four or more* in 2019.

* Indicative of a possible psychiatric disorder.