Paid parental leave can lower the risk of depression, while uncertainty in housing is associated with a greater risk of mental health issues. A Dutch cohort study showed that raising the retirement age led to more depressive symptoms among working men. And a British study demonstrated that free public transport for people over sixty was associated with fewer depressive complaints
In the current system, the approach to mental issues often lies with the individual. According to the researchers, this implies that it is up to the citizen themselves to overcome problems such as poverty or social insecurity. Instead, the researchers argue that governments have the ability – and thus also the responsibility – to distribute (financial) resources more equitably across society, thereby improving public health.
Preventing depression in high-income countries—A systematic review of studies evaluating change in social determinants | PLOS One