Connecting for Wellbeing: The Future of Social Prescribing in NSW

How can participation in arts, cultural and community activities support mental health and wellbeing? And what would it take to make these opportunities more accessible to the people who could benefit most?

These questions were at the centre of Connecting for Wellbeing: The Future of Social Prescribing in NSW, hosted by the Mental Health Commission of NSW and the Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education (ASPIRE) at NSW Parliament House.

Social prescribing connects people with non-clinical community supports and has been shown to improve health and wellbeing. By complementing clinical treatment, it helps people build social connections, participate in community life and engage in activities that foster purpose and belonging.

Professor JR Baker, Chair of ASPIRE, said social prescribing is about recognising and strengthening the assets that already exist within communities.

"Australia already has extraordinary assets that help people live well. Social prescribing gives us a practical way to connect people with those assets, but the bigger opportunity is to recognise them as part of how we build health in the first place, rather than waiting until people become unwell and relying on the healthcare system to restore it."

Meaningful social connection and community matter for mental health and wellbeing

A central theme of the event was that mental health and wellbeing are shaped by the social, economic, and environmental conditions in which people live, as well as by their connection to and participation in their communities.

The Commission's Loneliness Indicators, found that between 15 per cent and 20 per cent of people in NSW reported feeling lonely, highlighting loneliness as an important wellbeing issue alongside the broader benefits of social connection

This broader understanding of mental health reflects what the Commission heard through consultations to inform the next NSW Mental Health and Wellbeing Reform Strategy. Acting Mental Health Commissioner Julie Dixon said the discussion strongly aligned with the recently released What We Heard consultation report.

"Through our consultations, people told us they want a broader approach to mental health and wellbeing, one that recognises the importance of connection, belonging, purpose and participation in community life alongside access to services and support. The themes explored through social prescribing today strongly reflect what we heard across NSW," Ms Dixon said.

Connecting people with what already exists

One of the strongest messages to emerge was that improving wellbeing does not always mean creating another service. Communities already offer many of the things that can help people live well including arts organisations, community groups, sporting clubs, volunteer networks, libraries, parks and local activities. The challenge can be helping people discover and access these opportunities.

Social prescribing provides a way to bridge that gap, connecting people with activities, relationships and community resources that match their interests and needs.

Arts and culture as a driver of wellbeing

Keynote speaker Dr Jill Sonke, Director of Research Initiatives at the University of Florida and a global leader in arts and health, described access to arts and culture as an important social driver of health.

"If we want healthier communities, we need to pay attention to the things that bring people together. Arts and cultural activities create opportunities for people to connect, participate and contribute. Those experiences help build a sense of belonging and social cohesion, which are important foundations for mental health and wellbeing," Dr Sonke said.

Research presented by Dr Sonke included findings that people aged over 50 who participate in the arts as little as once a month have a 48 per cent lower risk of developing depression. Social prescribing programs in the UK and Canada have also demonstrated returns of approximately four dollars for every dollar invested, while other studies have reported reductions of 39-42 per cent in GP visits and 15.4-23.6 per cent in the burden on emergency care systems.

Social prescribing in action

Four case studies demonstrated how social prescribing is being applied across Australia, including initiatives from COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN, Nepean Blue Mountains PHN, Northern NSW’s Healthy Towns, and an arts-based collaboration between the Art Gallery of NSW and Black Dog Institute.

While each approach was different, they shared a common principle: helping people connect with the activities, services and relationships that can meaningfully support their health and wellbeing.

The discussion reinforced a message the Commission heard throughout its consultations, that improving mental health and wellbeing requires action beyond the health system. Social prescribing offers one practical way to bridge that gap by connecting people with activities, relationships, and community resources that align with their interests to help them live well.

The evidence on social prescribing is compelling supports its consideration as a core pillar of the next Mental Health and Wellbeing Reform Strategy. Social prescribing addresses key determinants of mental health by strengthening social connection, reducing loneliness, increasing participation in community life, and helping people access meaningful non-clinical supports. Drawing on the strengths that already exist within communities, it offers a practical, person centred approach to prevention, early intervention and recovery.

Watch the recordings

Opening address

Showcases

• Social Rx

• Culture Dose Kids

• Wellbeing Connectors

• Healthy Towns

  
  

Panel discussion and close

*This article has been republished with thanks to https://www.nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au/news/beyond-healthcare-exploring-role-social-prescribing-mental-health-and-wellbeing