Prof. George Ploubidis, Demographic shifts and population mental health: a life course perspective - Descripción

Summary: While the huge costs to society and to the economy of poor mental health are undisputed, the idea that experiences of mental distress are increasing across generations has not been much discussed, and yet if true, is of major societal and population health significance. In this talk I will present evidence on the impact that macrosocial trends have on population mental health over the life course. I will then go on to consider whether high-risk life course stages are stable or vary according to changing social and economic circumstances. The data for this talk come from the series of population-based British birth cohorts representing five post war generations. The conclusions reached are that past macrosocial trends have shaped population mental health, and that the far reaching impact of mental health over the life course has implications for future demographic shifts and population health.