Mental Health

ASH Scotland's Tobacco & Inequalities initiative has targeted some of its work around the theme of mental health.

The STCA (Scottish Tobacco Control Alliance) co-ordinates a Smoking and Mental Health Working Group, supported by the Inequalities team, which is free to join. Additionally, ASH Scotland's Development Officers can provide tobacco awareness-raising sessions to community and voluntary organisations free of charge. Contact us via enquiries@ashscotland.org.uk for further details, or call us on 0131 225 4725.

Relevant research

Find out about the latest UK and international research into tobacco and mental health, available from our Information Service.

Resources

Specialist cessation support for mental health service users - PATH training
Smoke-free mental health services implementation guidance from Health Scotland (published February 2011)
ASH Scotland information briefing on smoking and people with mental health problems (updated April 2011, pdf 102kb)
The SMHWG and ASH Scotland with support from CRUK have produced a set of case studies illustrating smoking cessation successes in mental healthcare services. These case studies are intended to provide a discussion focus for those involved in training and information provision. There is also an expert commentary to accompany the case notes. Both of these documents may be used freely with suitable acknowledgement. Funded by Cancer Research UK on behalf of the STCA Smoking and Mental Health Working Group
Report on the mapping of existing smokefree provisions within residential mental
health services in Scotland: A snapshot of current policies and practice (March 2010) (pdf, 369kb)
Report from the Second National Symposium on Mental Health and Tobacco (January 2009)
Moving towards smoke-free in mental health services in Scotland (May 2008; external link)
This study was commissioned to explore a move towards smoke-free environments in mental health services in Scotland. It summarises available evidence on tobacco use and tobacco related harm in psychiatric services and explores how different services have tackled the range of issues around smoking in mental health services
Smoking, mental health and stop smoking. 'Be happy, don't worry and stop smoking' (March 2007; 17pp, 117kb pdf) A report of a story dialogue event held in Glasgow in December 2006, in partnership with UKPHA (Scotland), the STCA, and CHEX. The event enabled participants to learn and discuss insights from people's stories about their experiences of mental health and smoking from the perspectives of smokers with a mental health problem, mental health service practitioner and a stop-smoking practitioner
Two projects of particular relevance are Give up tobacco Substitute Exercise (GUTSE)and Smoking Cessation Within Forensic Mental Health Within Conditions of Special Security, both of which received money from the PATH Support Fund between 2004-2007
Report from the First National Symposium on Tobacco and Mental Health (May 2005)

Tobacco & Inequalities and PATH funded tobacco work

Organisation/Description

Aberdeen Foyer - "Pack It In, Take Action". The project's aim was to reduce the drop-off rates of service users (mainly young people) who accessed smoking-cessation services.
For more information read: Aberdeen Foyer final report (2007, 185kb pdf)

Kirkcaldy & Levenmouth CHP. In partnership with local groups, this mental health project set out to provide tailored cessation support to adults with mental health problems. The work of this project ultimately led to the development of PATH's specialised mental health training for stop-smoking professionals.
For more information read: Kirkcaldy & Levenmouth CHP final report (2007, 423kb pdf)

Lochaber Families Project and Action for Children Scotland (formerly NCH Scotland) - "Fit For Life". The project aimed to offer the opportunity of a healthier lifestyle for mothers experiencing depression.
For more information read: Lochaber Families Project final report (2008, 219kb pdf)

NHS Lothian Royal Edinburgh Hospital - smoking cessation in mental health inpatient services. The aim of the project was to develop and provide an effective smoking cessation service to patients being treated for substance misuse and/or for mental health problems.
For more information read: Royal Edinburgh Hospital final report (2007, 268kb pdf)

Clydesdale CHP - smoking cessation support for adults with mental ill health. This project was designed to offer smoking cessation training, to support staff and provide a flexible service to individuals with mental health care needs.
For more information read: Clydesdale CHP final report (2007, 303kb pdf)

Penumbra - this organisation offers supported accommodation for people with mental health problems. It aimed to help its service users either quit smoking completely or significantly reduce their tobacco consumption. No final report was supplied.