The Scottish Health Survey 2021: summary report
Key findings from the Scottish Health Survey 2021 report.
Chapter 2 Mental Wellbeing
Average levels of mental wellbeing (measured by mean WEMWBS1 scores) were lower in 2021 than in 2019, following a decade in which levels had remained fairly constant.
49.8 in 2019
48.6 in 2021
Women’s average mental wellbeing scores fell by more than those for men.
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In 2021, adult mean WEMWBS scores varied by age; highest for those aged 65 and above, and lowest for those aged 25 to 34.
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In 2021, adult mean WEMWBS scores were lower in the most deprived areas.
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In 2017/2018/2019/2021 combined, boys aged 13-15 had higher mean WEMWBS scores than girls of the same age.
Girls aged 13-15: 50.8
Boys aged 13-15: 51.9
All children aged 13-15: 49.6
In 2021, 22% of adults had a GHQ-122 score of four or more (indicating a possible psychiatric disorder), an increase from 2019 for both men and women.
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The proportion of adults with a GHQ-12 score of four or more tended to decrease with age.
![](/binaries/content/gallery/publications/statistics/2022/11/scottish-health-survey-2021-summary-report/SCT09229361623_g11.png)
In 2021, prevalence of depression, anxiety and ever attempted suicide were at similar levels to 2018/2019 combined. Prevalence of ever having self-harmed increased over this period.
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Depression, anxiety, ever attempted suicide and ever self-harmed were more common among younger than older age groups.
![](/binaries/content/gallery/publications/statistics/2022/11/scottish-health-survey-2021-summary-report/SCT09229361623_g13.png)
Depression, anxiety, ever attempted suicide and ever self-harmed were also more common in the most deprived areas.
![](/binaries/content/gallery/publications/statistics/2022/11/scottish-health-survey-2021-summary-report/SCT09229361623_g15.png)
In 2021, prevalence of anxiety was higher for women than for men.
10% men
18% women
In 2021, 8% of adults reported feeling lonely ‘most’ or ‘all of the time’ in the last week. This was higher for younger people.
8% All adults
7% Men
8% Women
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Prevalence of feeling lonely ‘most’ or ‘almost all of the time’ in the past week was highest in the most deprived areas in 2021.
![](/binaries/content/gallery/publications/statistics/2022/11/scottish-health-survey-2021-summary-report/SCT09229361623_g16.png)
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