Counting isn't action, and it's action that counts
25 Jul 2011 | Action for Happiness
* Action for Happiness calls for government action
to improve national well-being not just measure it
*
PRESS RELEASE: Monday 25 July 2011
As the government today confirms its plans to measure national
well-being, Action for Happiness is calling on the government to
start reshaping policy to increase well-being. It is urging much
greater priority for mental health, life skills education and
support for the most disadvantaged people (see below for details).
Individuals must play their part too, which is why thousands of
Action for Happiness members are taking action to increase
happiness and well-being in their families, workplaces and
communities right across the UK.
Since its launch in April 2011, around 15,000 members have
joined Action for Happiness from over 100 countries. Members pledge
to "try to create more happiness and less unhappiness in the world
around".
Over the coming months the movement will be focusing on three
priority areas of activity:
- Creating a network of local Action for Happiness
groups, to support its members in enabling positive
changes in their local communities;
- Working with schools to encourage a greater
focus on happiness and well-being and equipping children with
essential life skills;
- Getting employers to take action to create happier
workplaces, and see the benefits both for employees and
organisations.
This action by individuals and organisations must be supported
by bold government action too. Of course, government cannot make
people happy; but it must create the conditions in which people can
lead happier lives.
Today's publication of findings from the Office for
National Statistics (ONS) consultation on measuring national
well-being is a vital step forward towards measuring what really
matters, and is to be welcomed. But so far there has been too
little debate about the actions required to increase
well-being.
Geoff Mulgan, CEO of NESTA said "Governments have shown
remarkable bravery in committing to measure wellbeing. But so far
much less has been done to adapt policies so that they have a more
positive influence on wellbeing. This must be the next priority,
since measurement without action is a recipe for frustration.
Counting isn't action; it's action that counts."
Richard Layard, professor of economics at LSE said "Over the
last 60 years average happiness has not increased at all in
Britain, despite unprecedented economic growth and increases in
living standards. It's time for a new definition of progress and
the government's plans to measure well-being are a welcome step in
the right direction. But we urgently need policies that have a
positive impact on well-being. Action for Happiness is calling for
government action in vital areas such as mental health, life skills
for young people and support for the disadvantaged."
Mark Williamson, Director of Action for Happiness said "It's
encouraging to see the UK becoming a world-leader in the area of
happiness and well-being. Action for Happiness is the first
movement focused on this theme and the government's plans to
measure well-being are at the forefront of work in this field
globally. It's vital we now capitalise on this momentum and move
from debate to action to improve people's lives. Action for
Happiness' members recognise that we can each make a difference in
the way we approach our lives, but we need the government to take
action too".
[ENDS]
For media enquiries, please contact: Alison Harvey +44
(0) 20 8709 9265; Email: alison.harvie@youngfoundation.org
or media@actionforhappiness.org
Key Policy Areas - Further Detail
Action for Happiness is highlighting three key policy areas in
which action is essential to increase national well-being. There
are of course many other areas where action will also be vital.
- Mental health. Good mental health is an
essential foundation for well-being. One in four British adults
experiences some kind of mental health problem each year and one in
six has a diagnosable case of clinical depression and/or chronic
anxiety disorder. Tragically only a quarter of these people have
been in treatment. Moreover, many people with mental health
problems now face the risk of severe cuts in services. It is
essential that we invest in this area, particularly in modern
psychological therapies that have been shown to be effective. These
treatments transform lives, yet should involve no net cost to the
taxpayer due to expected savings on incapacity benefit and lost
taxes [1].
- Children and young people. It is much
better to invest in preventing mental illness than on treating it.
Yet levels of anxiety and depression in young people have doubled
over the last 40 years and so have conduct problems. A major role
of our educational system must be to help children develop the
capabilities and attitudes they need to lead a happy life and
contribute to the happiness of others. Yet many schools pay far too
little attention to helping children develop these social and
emotional skills and values. This needn't be at the expense of
academic attainment; in fact, happy, resilient students will
generally do better academically. There are now well-tested
materials available for schools to use, such as the Penn Resiliency
Programme which has been piloted in three UK local authorities with
very promising results. [2].
- Support for disadvantaged people. Average
levels of happiness and well-being are important, but above all it
is essential that we act to improve the situation of those who are
most in need. In addition to income support where necessary, this
must involve helping people to help themselves wherever possible,
for example through skill formation or enabling stronger
connections in local communities. It is extremely worrying that
disadvantaged groups are likely to be among those most badly
affected by planned cuts to public services. Rather than putting
their well-being further at risk, we should be investing in
essential support where it's most needed, such as help for isolated
older people, support for disadvantaged parents and high quality
children's centres. [3] Cross-country evidence also shows clear
correlation between well-being and equality, with lower income
inequality linked to better outcomes on a wide range of social
measures. So we also need policies to encourage income equality.
[4]
References
[1] Layard, R., Clark, D., Knapp, M. and Mayraz, G. (2007), Cost
benefit analysis of psychological therapy, National Institute
Economic Review.
[2] Challen, A.R., Machin, S.J., Noden, P. and West, A. (2010),
UK Resilience Programme Evaluation: Second Interim Report: DFE,
Research Report DFE-RR006.
[3] Field, F. (2010), The Foundation Years: preventing poor
children becoming poor adults: The report of the Independent Review
on Poverty and Life Chances.
[4] Wilkinson, R. and Pickett, K, (2009), The Spirit Level: Why
more equal societies almost always do better, London: Allen
Lane/Penguin.
About Action for Happiness
Action for Happiness is a mass movement to
create a happier society. Launched in April 2011, it aims to create
a fundamentally different culture where people care more for the
happiness of others.
The movement's interactive website, www.actionforhappiness.org, gives access to a range of
tools and ideas based on the latest scientific research, including
10 keys to happier living and 50 practical actions to take.
Rejecting a societal focus on materialism and self-obsessed
individualism, the movement instead prioritises healthy
relationships with others and meaningful activities as a means to
happier living. It provides practical information about how people
can take action at home, at work and in their community to help to
create real and lasting change; increasing the happiness of others
and, in turn, themselves.
Action for Happiness is a not-for-profit initiative free from
political, commercial, religious and other partisan affiliations.
It was founded by Lord Richard Layard, Geoff Mulgan and Dr Anthony
Seldon. Its Director is Dr Mark Williamson. To join the movement
visit: www.actionforhappiness.org
Action for Happiness is part of The Young
Foundation, a centre for social innovation, which is a Registered
Charity (274345) and Company Limited by Guarantee (1319183) in
England and Wales. www.youngfoundation.org
Tags:
Local community, Be a Happiness Activist, Politics of Happiness