To describe this project, two concepts have to be defined:
• Mental capital encompasses a person’s cognitive and emotional resources. It includes their cognitive ability, their flexibility and efficiency at learning, their “emotional intelligence” (i.e. social skills and resilience in the face of stress). It conditions the individual's ability to contribute effectively to society and to experience a high personal quality of life.
• Mental wellbeing is a dynamic state, in which the individual is able to develop their potential, work productively and creatively, build strong and positive relationships with others, and contribute to their community. It is enhanced when an individual is able to fulfill their personal and social goals and achieve a sense of purpose in society.
Many important factors will affect the UK over the next decades. Some will make demands on the citizens' mental capital, requiring new skills and expertise. Some will create new threats to the their mental health and wellbeing. And some will offer new opportunities for people to develop and flourish. Assessing how to manage these opportunities and threats has been a key aim of this Project.
Important factors that will drive change include:
• The demographic age-shift
• Changes in the global economy
• Changes in the UK society: values and expectations, attitudes, nature of public services
• New science & technology
http://www.bis.gov.uk/foresight/our-work/projects/published-projects/mental-capital-and-wellbeing
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