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| Scouts and Guides at lower risk of mental illness in later life – study Scouts and Guides at lower risk of mental illness in later life – study | |
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| Joining the Scouts or Guides in childhood appears to help lower the risk of mental illness in later life, a study suggests. | Joining the Scouts or Guides in childhood appears to help lower the risk of mental illness in later life, a study suggests. |
| Children who participate in the organisations – which aim to develop qualities such as self-reliance, resolve and a desire for self-learning – are likely to go on to have better mental health in middle age, the findings show. | Children who participate in the organisations – which aim to develop qualities such as self-reliance, resolve and a desire for self-learning – are likely to go on to have better mental health in middle age, the findings show. |
| The groups’ activities, which frequently involve being outdoors, also seem to remove the higher likelihood of mental illness in people from poorer backgrounds. | The groups’ activities, which frequently involve being outdoors, also seem to remove the higher likelihood of mental illness in people from poorer backgrounds. |
| The findings were drawn from the National Child Development Study, a lifelong study of almost 10,000 people from across the UK who were born in November 1958. | The findings were drawn from the National Child Development Study, a lifelong study of almost 10,000 people from across the UK who were born in November 1958. |
| Scientists from Edinburgh and Glasgow universities found that about a quarter of the study participants had been in the Scouts or Guides, and this group was around 15% less likely to go on to suffer from anxiety or mood disorders at age 50. | Scientists from Edinburgh and Glasgow universities found that about a quarter of the study participants had been in the Scouts or Guides, and this group was around 15% less likely to go on to suffer from anxiety or mood disorders at age 50. |
| The lead researcher Prof Chris Dibben, of the University of Edinburgh’s school of geosciences, said: “It is quite startling that this benefit is found in people so many years after they have attended Guides or Scouts. | The lead researcher Prof Chris Dibben, of the University of Edinburgh’s school of geosciences, said: “It is quite startling that this benefit is found in people so many years after they have attended Guides or Scouts. |
| “We expect the same principles would apply to the Scouts and Guides of today and so, given the high costs of mental ill health to individuals and society, a focus on voluntary youth programmes such as the Guides and Scouts might be very sensible.” | “We expect the same principles would apply to the Scouts and Guides of today and so, given the high costs of mental ill health to individuals and society, a focus on voluntary youth programmes such as the Guides and Scouts might be very sensible.” |
| Researchers say their findings suggest programmes that help children develop skills such as self-reliance and teamwork, and encourage being active outdoors, may have lifelong benefits. | Researchers say their findings suggest programmes that help children develop skills such as self-reliance and teamwork, and encourage being active outdoors, may have lifelong benefits. |
| Attending the Guides or Scouts may help build resilience against common stresses in life, or it may increase a person’s chances of achieving more in life, so they are less likely to experience such stresses, researchers suggest. | Attending the Guides or Scouts may help build resilience against common stresses in life, or it may increase a person’s chances of achieving more in life, so they are less likely to experience such stresses, researchers suggest. |
| The study, supported by the Economic and Social Research Council, was published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. | The study, supported by the Economic and Social Research Council, was published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. |
| Prof Richard Mitchell, of the Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health at the University of Glasgow, said: “Governments and health services around the world struggle to do something about the health gap between richer and poorer people, so this new evidence that being a Scout or Guide can help is very important.” | Prof Richard Mitchell, of the Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health at the University of Glasgow, said: “Governments and health services around the world struggle to do something about the health gap between richer and poorer people, so this new evidence that being a Scout or Guide can help is very important.” |
| Bear Grylls, chief Scout at the Scout Association, said: “I am really proud that Scouting provides young people with an opportunity to develop the skills they need to be resilient and deal with what life throws at them. | Bear Grylls, chief Scout at the Scout Association, said: “I am really proud that Scouting provides young people with an opportunity to develop the skills they need to be resilient and deal with what life throws at them. |
| “Through initiatives such as our A Million Hands Campaign, the Scout Association is helping give young people the ability to develop mental wellbeing throughout their lives.” | “Through initiatives such as our A Million Hands Campaign, the Scout Association is helping give young people the ability to develop mental wellbeing throughout their lives.” |
| Emma Brodey, 18, a member of the Girlguiding Advocate Panel, said: “Women tell us every week that their accomplishments and memories through Guiding have lasted throughout their lives, so it’s amazing to see research showing the long-term benefits of being a member of Girlguiding.” | Emma Brodey, 18, a member of the Girlguiding Advocate Panel, said: “Women tell us every week that their accomplishments and memories through Guiding have lasted throughout their lives, so it’s amazing to see research showing the long-term benefits of being a member of Girlguiding.” |