THE average level of mental wellbeing among adults in Scotland has declined, according to a key survey.
The Scottish Health Survey for 2021 shows the average Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) score was significantly lower in 2021 than in 2019 - 48.6 and 49.8 respectively.
This followed a decade in which levels had remained fairly constant.
Results also showed one in five adults had a possible psychiatric disorder according to their GHQ-12 (General Health Questionnaire) score. This is an increase from between 17% and 19% in the years 2017 to 2019.
Mental wellbeing for adults who had used any drug in the last 12 months was also significantly lower than for those who had not, with WEMWBS mean scores of 45.4 and 49.1 respectively.
But despite clear declines in the mental health of Scots, the survey showed some signs that people’s physical health was improving.
More adults – 69% in total – met the moderate or vigorous physical activity guidelines than in previous years. This continued the general upwards trend since 2012 when the level was at 62%.
Meanwhile, the prevalence of smoking among adults continued to fall to 11% in 2021, down from 28% in 2003. Rates continued to be much higher in the most deprived areas - 24% - compared to the least deprived areas – 5%.
However, when it comes to poverty, matters don’t seem to have improved since 2019. One in 10 adults reported having experienced food insecurity in terms of having worried they would run out of food due to lack of money or resources during the previous 12 months. This was the same proportion as in 2019.
Prevalence of food insecurity was highest for single parents and single adults aged under 65 living alone - 34% and 19% respectively in 2019/2021 combined.
The survey also showed alcohol consumption, e-cigarette usage and the number of adults taking part in gambling are all on the decline.
The prevalence of hazardous or harmful weekly alcohol consumption has reduced from 34% in 2003 to 23% in 2021. A total of 9% of adults reported ever having had a problem with alcohol, with 1% saying they still had a problem.
A total of 5% of adults were current e-cigarette users - a reduction from 7% each year between 2015 and 2019.
Almost six in ten adults (58%) undertook any gambling. This has decreased significantly since 2012 (70%).
However, online gambling participation specifically has doubled since 2012 from 7% to 14%.
A third of adults were living with obesity last year according to the survey. This was similar to or marginally higher than rates in each year since 2008, ranging from 27% to 29%.
Elsewhere in the survey, 5% of adults reported having long Covid. Prevalence was highest amongst those aged 35-64 (6-7%).
