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 four research projects that make up the BEE-LINE research programme:
We are estimating how waiting times (in England) for NHS Talking Therapy treatments - formerly known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) – have an effect on employment and absenteeism of individuals who can benefit from receiving the treatment
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).
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.
