Edmund Burke Lecture 2019

The French Have a Word for It: Reflections on the Crisis in Student Mental Health

There seems to be an alarming increase in mental health problems among students in the western world, but what does this really mean? Are students really suffering more mental health problems, a bad thing, or are they simply more aware and keen to get help where needed, a good thing. Certainly demand is increasing – some estimates suggest a five-fold increase in the last decade. Sir Simon Wessely, the first Regius Professor of Psychiatry appointed at King's College, London, is a widely respected authority on these matters. A former President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, he is now President of the Royal Society of Medicine. Whether or not he is, as recently described in the Daily Mail, “the world renowned psychiatrist”, he is certainly one of our leading academics, with over 800 scholarly publications on mental health, military health, unexplained symptoms and syndromes, and populations and how they react to adversity. But he is no ivory tower academic, and is equally well known for his journalism and media appearances. Anyone interested in mental health in general, or student mental health in particular, should find this lecture of interest.

The lecture will mark the publication of this year’s volume of The Annual Register published by ProQuest and originally founded by British statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke. This is the 260th volume in an unbroken sequence since 1758.

2019 Edmund Burke Lecture Agenda

6:00pm: Registration

6:30pm: Welcome Address

6:35pm: Edmund Burke Lecture

7:20pm: Discussions

7:35pm: Vote of Thanks

7.40pm: Drinks Reception

Spaces are limited so please register to secure yours now.