Creating Space Mental Wellbeing: Identifying and Applying Salutogenic Concepts From a Body of Work Representing Two Health Interventions

There is increasing recognition that clinical approaches to health which focus on symptoms and treatment are often ineffective when applied to those experiencing mental health challenges. The Recovery Movement in psychiatry, along with a proliferation of asset-based approaches to health promotion, illustrate a growing appetite for health and other public services to recognise and tackle the social determinants of poor mental health. These interventions have their roots in salutogenesis, a philosophy of health which moves away from treating deficits and gives primacy to the strengths and resources available to individuals and their communities. This thesis revisits the empirical findings from five studies focussed on two different community health interventions with the aim of identifying how salutogenic concepts may be operating within the interventions to promote mental wellbeing. Using a meta-ethnographic approach, I construct a line-of-argument synthesis which reveals how salutogenic concepts such as identity and connectedness; empowerment; hope and meaning, are already present within the interventions, and are promoted by the creation of healthy spaces and positive relationships. I then explore how this knowledge, along with the future collaboration of health professionals, local councils and community organisations, could be used to inform the more explicit salutogenic development of public services in order to more effectively facilitate the promotion of mental wellbeing.