Working through research consultancy Evolving Communities, the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) is carrying out a review of the mental health statistics that it regulates and wants to find out if UK statistics are providing the right information to support professionals in their work.
The information gathered from the research will be used to ensure that producers of statistics improve the trustworthiness, quality and value of their statistics on mental health.
The OSR want to hear from commissioners of mental health services, public health teams, doctors, nurses, hospital staff, university researchers and those working within the mental health service to find out what they think about the current information which is available to them.
Dr Sara Nelson, Head of Research & Insight at Evolving Communities, said: “Many people in the UK will experience a mental health condition or know someone who had been affected. Health policies attempting to address these issues have been introduced and we want to know if the statistical system is providing the right information to support professionals in their work.
“We want to find out how professionals use mental health statistics and what could be done to improve the way they access them. Ultimately these views will shape the way the OSR regulates this information and improves it to meet the needs of professionals who access these statistics.”
Four regional workshops are being held:
BVSC: The Centre for Voluntary Action, Birmingham – 8 January 2020
St George’s Centre, Leeds – 9 January
The Engine Shed, Bristol – 14 January
The Health Foundry, London – 15 January