The role of brain capital encompasses “brain health, mental capital, mental health and well-being,” says a paper published in BMJ

The global economy loses approximately $1.15 trillion each year due to lost productivity caused by depression and anxiety, emphasizing the vital role of Mental Wealth and Brain Capital.

A Mental Wealth perspective, according to a paper published in BMJ, argues that the extent to which nations can respond to its economic and climate crises depends on the quality of, and investments in, a critical national asset: brain capital.

“Brain capital encompasses a nation’s cognitive and emotional resources including (1) brain skills—cognitive capability, emotional intelligence and the ability to collaborate, be innovative and solve complex problems, (2) brain health which includes mental health, well-being and neurological disorders that critically impact the ability to deploy brain skills effectively, build and maintain positive relationships, and display resilience against challenges and uncertainties.,” the paper says.

“Although brain skills and brain health are commonly examined at an individual level, brain capital represents a broader, collective concept and national asset that is a fundamental contributor to economic and social productivity,” the paper adds.

The role of brain capital, it explains, encompasses brain health, mental capital, mental health and well-being and is “a key driver of productivity.”

“Mental Wealth also highlights the concept of “brain capital,” which considers brain skills and health as fundamental economic drivers,” the paper says, adding that the brain skills “encompass cognitive, emotional, and collective intelligence, while brain health affects our ability to utilize these skills fully.”

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Delicate balance

The paper, however, cautions that the relationship between brain capital and productivity is reciprocal, requiring a delicate balance.

“While the “happy-productive worker thesis” suggests that well-being leads to higher productivity, this link is more intricate,” the paper says. “Macro-level strategies aimed at continually increasing productivity can harm worker well-being, with higher demands and job insecurity leading to anxiety, burnout, and dissatisfaction.”

Economic structures and policies, the paper mentions, can perpetuate disparities in income, education, and opportunities, eroding productive potential and societal cohesion.

“A paradigm shift is needed to fully embrace the concept of Mental Wealth, nurturing our most critical asset—our collective brain capital,” it says. “By doing so, we can create stable, prosperous, and sustainable societies that can adapt and thrive in the face of ever-changing challenges.”

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