Behaviours, Experiences and Emotions – Living in Northern England

How are we doing it?

Using a variety of econometric methods (ways of using statistics to develop theories or test questions relating to economics), we are looking to identify factors that are protective for at-risk individuals, through four bespoke research projects.

Across these research projects we use a range of individual- and area-level mental health data:

• Individual-level data – accessed via the UK Household Longitudinal Study and the ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey. 
• Area level data – accessed via the Small Area Mental Health Index as well as databases which hold information on mental health-related hospital attendances, prescription of antidepressants, and data from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) on incapacity benefit and employment support allowance for people with mental illness. 

There are five research projects that make up the BEE-LINE research programme:

• 1. Subjective wellbeing and area-level supply of psychological therapies

We estimated how waiting times (in England) for NHS Talking Therapy treatments  - formerly known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) – had an effect on employment and absenteeism of individuals who could benefit from receiving the treatment

• 2. Does psychological distress moderate earning trajectories? Evidence from longitudinal data in the UK

We are examining how mental health affects wages and changes in wages over time, using data on 27,505 employed people from the UK Household Longitudinal study (collected from 2009-2020).

• 3. Gender-based mental health inequalities in primary care in England: Cross-sectional analysis using the GP Patient Survey

Using data collected from the 2021 and 2022 GP Patient Surveys, we are estimating the extent of gender-based inequalities experienced by people in 15 gender groups in England when they self-report mental health conditions or try to access mental health support. 

• 4. Generational differences in mental health outcomes: an application of a health poverty measure

Using data from The UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), we are applying a ‘poverty measure’ to mental health-related outcomes, to explore mental health trends over time across generations of people.

• 5. Association between school staff support and wellbeing for students with poor quality social relationships

Using data collected as part of the #BeeWell study, which included survey results from 25,977 students in 172 schools in Greater Manchester, we estimated the association between staff support and student wellbeing across 4 elements of mental health.

Findings

Findings are available now for:

• Subjective wellbeing and area-level supply of psychological therapies
• Association between school staff support and wellbeing for students with poor quality social relationships 

Other findings are expected soon, so please keep checking this page. 

As and when findings from each of the BEE-LINE research projects are available, you will be able to access these from the research project pages which are linked on the page menu.

Funding info

In March 2022, NIHR ARC Greater Manchester was awarded £750k additional funding from NIHR to support Mental Health Research across Greater Manchester.

A proportion of this funding was related to the BEE-LINE research programme.

Contact  info

Senior Programme Lead
 

Mike Spence
michael.spence@manchester.ac.uk