With particular reference to inequality and individualism, how can the ways in which contemporary industrialised societies are structured by neoliberalism help explain the current  epidemic of mental illness and loneliness?  

Educational Integrity 

Whilst your answers need to be based on the set readings, they must be in your own words, ie, paraphrased. Where you do paraphrase others be sure to cite the relevant reference,  including the page number, to indicate/acknowledge that it is not your work/research/thinking  but that of someone else. Do not quote verbatim (ie word-for-word) from the readings unless  you are absolutely unable to make the same argument in your own words. If you must quote a  small passage verbatim use quotation marks to indicate they are not your words/writing and,  as always, cite the relevant reference, including the page number, at the end of the sentence. 

In short, when you use the ideas/research/arguments of others in your writing without  acknowledging whose intellectual property they are with an in-text citation, eg (Wedgwood  2057), that is a form of academic dishonesty. While the University is aware that the vast  majority of students and staff act ethically and honestly, it is opposed to and will not tolerate  academic dishonesty or plagiarism and will treat all allegations of dishonesty seriously. For  more information on academic honesty/dishonesty go to the academic integrity pages on the  Current Students website. 

Essay Question 

With particular reference to inequality and individualism, how can the ways in which contemporary industrialised societies are structured by neoliberalism help explain the current  epidemic of mental illness and loneliness?  

Compulsory Readings:  

1. Becker J., Hartwich L. & Haslam S. (2021). Neoliberalism can reduce well-being by promoting a sense of social disconnection, competition, and loneliness. British Journal of Social Psychology, 60(3): 947-965. doi: 10.1111/bjso.12438.
2. Curran, T. & Hill, A. (2019). Perfectionism is increasing over time: A meta-analysis of  birth cohort differences from 1989 to 2016. Psychological Bulletin, 145(4), 410-429. 
3. Holt-Lunstad, J. (2017). The Potential Public Health Relevance of Social Isolation and Loneliness: Prevalence, Epidemiology, and Risk Factors. Public Policy & Aging Report, 27, 127–130. 
4. Monbiot, George (2016). ‘Neoliberalism is creating loneliness. That’s what’s wrenching society apart.’ The Guardian, 17 October 2016  https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/oct/12/neoliberalism-creating-loneliness-wrenching-society-apart?CMP=fb_gu
5. Pickett, K., & Wilkinson, R. (2010). Inequality: An underacknowledged source of mental  illness and distress, British Journal of Psychiatry, 197(6): 426-428.  Doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.109.072066 
6. Zeira, A. (2022). Mental Health Challenges Related to Neoliberal Capitalism in the United States. Community Mental Health Journal 58, 205–212 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00840-7 

Tips: 

A good start to this essay is to revisit the following HSBH1013 Lectures: 

• Class Origins of Health Inequality  
• Mental Health of Young People 
• Planning & Writing Academic Assessments