In your local area, which organisation has the most impact on mental health? Is it the local Community NHS Trust? Primary Care Networks? Or what about the local authority?
My money is on the latter. Local authorities have an influence on most, if not all, of what Michael Compton and Ruth Shim in their 2015 book called the ‘core social determinants’ of mental health. These include social inclusion, early life experiences, education, employment, neighbourhood deprivation, food security, housing, built environment and access to professional care.
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