Discovering which modifiable characteristics of the built-environment support good adolescent mental health and wellbeing

The project aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing for adolescents (aged 10-19 years old) in Wales by deepening our understanding of the impact of where we live on mental health and wellbeing. I will explore how relationships vary by urban/rural regions, sex, age, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. The study intends to verify my results for Wales by repeating the analysis for adolescents living in Toronto (Canada).

The project will answer research questions including:

- Which features of our local neighbourhoods affect adolescent mental health such as anxiety and depression, and wellbeing?

- Are the relationships between the features in our neighbourhoods and health influenced by physical activity, individuals moving house and individuals living in poorer areas of Wales?

- Are the relationships between where we live and adolescent mental health and wellbeing different between: urban and rural areas; and different countries?

In Wales, 1 in 10 children between the ages of 5 and 16 has a mental health problem and 7% of NHS Wales expenditure is spent on adolescent mental ill health (2017-2018). There is growing evidence to support which aspects of the neighbourhoods in which we live support or are detrimental for mental health in adults but there is a lack of evidence for adolescents. Making changes to our neighbourhoods to be supportive of good mental health (such as places to be physically active or quiet tranquil areas which promote mental wellbeing) has the potential to benefit large numbers of people and to see population-level improvements in adolescent mental health. This project focuses on mental health and adolescents including those living in richer and poorer areas and those who live in urban and rural areas in Wales; priority areas defined in the Healthier Wales.