Public Health Wales, alongside a range of partners, has opened a national conversation on mental wellbeing. The new Hapus programme aims to inspire people in Wales to take part in activities that protect and improve mental wellbeing. 

Findings from the latest National Survey for Wales (2022/23) show that mental wellbeing has declined over recent years, from an average score of 51 for adults in 2018/19 to 48 in 2022/23 (as measured by the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale). Hapus provides information and resources to help people take steps to improve their mental wellbeing, and encourages people to share what matters for their mental wellbeing. 

Mental wellbeing is about how we’re thinking, feeling and coping with life at a particular time. We can say we have good mental wellbeing when we are “feeling good and functioning well”, however that looks for us individually. It is influenced by experiences throughout our lives, including from early childhood, as well as our relationships with family, friends, and partners. It is also influenced by the wider communities of which we are part, opportunities to influence things happening in our own lives, and having our basic needs met.   

Good mental wellbeing is an essential part of our overall good health. When we are feeling good and functioning well, we are more likely to look after our physical health. We’re also less likely to take part in health-harming behaviours such as drinking too much alcohol or smoking. 

The Hapus programme is designed to increase the Welsh population’s knowledge of what they can do to protect or improve their own mental wellbeing.  

Further information