# Relationship of a public mental health campaign with health service use and association with symptom management knowledge

## TL;DR

A public mental health campaign called Every Mind Matters is linked to increased use of health services and better symptom management knowledge at a low cost.

## Contribution

This study evaluates the impact of a public mental health campaign on health service use and symptom management knowledge, finding potential cost-effectiveness.

## Key findings

- Campaign-aware individuals were more likely to contact general practitioners and mental health therapists.
- The campaign cost per unit improvement in symptom management knowledge was below £20.
- Increased symptom management knowledge may make the campaign cost-effective if it contributes to the improvement.

## Abstract

Mental health literacy can potentially be improved through a public mental health campaign. The aim of the campaign Every Mind Matters (EMM) was to support adults to help address common subclinical mental health problems and improve their mental well-being and literacy, by using its National Health Service-endorsed digital resources.

Although not an objective of the campaign itself, this study aims to (a) address the relationship of EMM through the use of general practitioners and mental health therapists and (b) explore the association of EMM with symptom management knowledge.

Health Survey for England 2019 data were obtained on campaign awareness, uptake of campaign materials and the use of general practitioners and therapists. Logistic regression models were used to explore the impact of the campaign on whether services were used, and ordered logistic models explored the impact on the number of contacts. Campaign costs were viewed alongside symptom management outcomes.

The analyses included 2023 individuals. Of those campaign aware, 16% had contact with a general practitioner for mental health reasons compared with 9% of those who were campaign unaware. Those who were campaign aware were also significantly more likely to have seen a mental health therapist. The campaign cost per unit improvement in symptom management knowledge was below £20.

Contact with general practitioners and therapists was associated with campaign awareness. If even a small proportion of symptom management knowledge improvement is due to the campaign, then it has the potential to be cost-effective. Further work is required to establish this.