Health

MLA adopts the United Nations definition of health as a complete state of physical, mental and social wellbeing. Health is more than the absence of illness.

The ability to learn, to be creative, to develop personally and grow life skills are part of mental wellbeing and help sustain it. Emotional literacy - the ability to deal with emotions - plays an important role in mental health.

Society frequently stigmatises people with mental health difficulties, who are among those most at risk of social exclusion.

Many people with a lasting health condition which affects the ability to carry out day-to-tasks are protected by the Disability Discrimination Act (PDF 107KB) as are people who are HIV symptomatic and people with mental health difficulties.

For further information, including about government health related policies, view MLA's New Directions in Social Policy: Health Policy For Museums, Libraries and Archives (Word 165KB)

Pro-active health engagement by MLA started in 2004.

The Contribution of Museums, Libraries and Archives

Museums, libraries and archives have always contributed to health and mental health agendas - especially libraries. They provide health information, raise health awareness, and display work by people with a history of mental health difficulties. They run 'bibliotherapy' and 'galleries on prescription' schemes in partnership with the health sector.

Current health, social and cultural policies sizeably increase the potential for health engagement by museums, libraries and archives.

Bibliotherapy

An Audit of Bibliotherapy/ Books on Prescription Activity in England (PDF 943KB)

Patient Choice

Following a 2005 study investigating the role which might be played by public libraries and health library services in providing support to patients when choosing a health care provider, Health Link was commissioned to pilot the role of providing patients with relevant information. Health Link formed under the Partnerships for Patients (P4P) to take the work forward, and also commissioned an independant evaluation of the scheme. The membership of P4P comprises Health Link, the London Health Libraries, The London Libraries Development Agency, the Museums Libraries and Archives Council, and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

http://www.health-link.org.uk/partnership_for_patients.asp 

Skilled for Health

Skilled for Health is a joint government-voluntary sector initiative which aims to improve both health and skills for life.  It is designed for adults who would like to improve their health and well-being, while developing their literacy, language or numeracy skills at the same time. 
 
People with poor skills for life tend to be at a higher risk of suffering ill-health.  For example, they may not feel confident explaining their symptoms to the doctor, or have trouble accessing healthcare.  Poor understanding of the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle can also have a negative impact on the health of the family as a whole.