Scotland's health: Mental wellbeing at record low

Since 2008 the survey has been conducted annually

The Scottish Health Survey attempts to measure the wellbeing of people living in Scotland. What does it reveal about the nation's health?

Mental wellbeing drops

Mental wellbeing in Scotland is at its lowest level on record, the survey suggests.

The annual survey, published by the Scottish Centre for Social Research and the Scottish government, involved 4,394 adults and 1,764 children.

It said the average score for adults on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) was 47 in 2022, compared with 50 in 2008, when the survey began.

The worst mental wellbeing was reported in those from the most deprived 20% of Scotland, with 44.7, while those in the most affluent areas reported an average of 48.3.

Those aged between 45 and 54 were found to have, on average, the worst mental health.

The survey also shows a steady increase in the number of adults who have reported self-harming or attempting suicide.

The number of adults that reported feeling lonely, all or most of the time increased from 8% in 2021 to 11% in 2022, with younger adults more likely to feel lonely.

There was also an increase in adults reporting two or more symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Billy Watson, chief executive of the Scottish Association of Mental Health, said the survey paints a "stark" picture.

Smoking and vaping increase

The proportion of adults who are smokers rose to 15%, from just 11% in 2021.

But there is a general decrease from the 28% of people who were smokers in 2008.

Those in the most deprived areas are more likely to be smokers (25%) than those in the least deprived (7%).

The survey found 10% of adults said they used vapes, with the 16-24 age group using them most (15%).

The levels of harmful drinking for all adults has decreased, from 34% in 2003 to 22% in 2022.

The levels of harmful drinking were in the least deprived areas at 28% and 19% in the most deprived.

Chronic pain affecting a third of Scots

Chronic pain is broadly described by the NHS as constant pain that persists longer than 12 weeks despite treatment and it can affect all ages and all parts of the body.

More than a third of adults reported pain or discomfort that lasted longer than three months, with women 10% more likely to experience it.

Reports of chronic pain steadily increased across age groups, with 18% of 16-24 year olds reporting it, rising to 55% of those over 75.

The proportion of adults with chronic pain was higher in the most deprived areas at 50%, while it was just 29% in the least deprived areas.

Almost four-fifths of the adults that live with chronic pain reported that it had limited their life and or work to some degree.

The survey said 6% of all children had experienced chronic pain for three months or more.

Long-term health conditions increase

Adults with long-term health conditions increased by 7% between 2008 and 2022, the survey said, with nearly half of all adults having some form of a chronic condition.

Adults with limiting long-term health conditions also increased, from 26% in 2008 to 37% in 2022. Women were 10% more likely than men to have limiting long-term conditions.

The number of adults with cardiovascular disease has stayed at about one in six since 2003.

In 2022 13% of adults reported ever having long Covid, while for children aged 0-15 the figure was 4%.

More than three-quarters of adults had 20 or more natural teeth, while only 6% had no natural teeth.