Economics and mental health: the current scenario

Abstract

Economics and mental health are intertwined. Apart from the accumulating evidence of the huge economic impacts of mental ill‐health, and the growing recognition of the effects that economic circumstances can exert on mental health, governments and other budget‐holders are putting increasing emphasis on economic data to support their decisions. Here we consider how economic evaluation (including cost‐effectiveness analysis, cost‐utility analysis and related techniques) can contribute evidence to inform the development of mental health policy strategies, and to identify some consequences at the treatment or care level that are of relevance to service providers and funding bodies. We provide an update and reflection on economic evidence relating to mental health using a lifespan perspective, analyzing costs and outcomes to shed light on a range of pressing issues. The past 30 years have witnessed a rapid growth in mental health economics, but major knowledge gaps remain. Across the lifespan, clearer evidence exists in the areas of perinatal depression identification‐plus‐treatment; risk‐reduction of mental health problems in childhood and adolescence; scaling up treatment, particularly psychotherapy, for depression; community‐based early intervention and employment support for psychosis; and cognitive stimulation and multicomponent carer interventions for dementia. From this discussion, we pull out the main challenges that are faced when trying to take evidence from research and translating it into policy or practice recommendations, and from there to actual implementation in terms of better treatment and care.

Typhoon Eye Effect vs. Ripple Effect: The Role of Family Size on the Mental Health under the COVID-19 Pandemic in Pakistan

“…typhoon eye effect might be due to socio-economic burden on the families due to lockdown in the country. As studies have shown that financial constraints or economic hardships not only increased behavioral problems but also damaged the physical and mental health status of individuals and their families [37]. Thus, our findings identify family size as a critical contingency factor in the prediction of typhoon eye effect and ripple effect.…”

A Cost-effectiveness Analysis of an Internet-delivered Pain Management Program Delivered With Different Levels of Clinician Support: Results From a Randomised Controlled Trial

“…However, relatively few studies have examined the healthcare costs associated with internet-delivered PMPs, or formally explored their cost-effectiveness 22,29 . Economic evaluations of new interventions are essential to inform decision makers about the relative value of new interventions, and for informing health service planning, viability and scalability 19,26 . To our knowledge, only one study (n = 140) has formally examined the costeffectiveness of an internet-delivered pain management intervention 22 .…”

Typhoon Eye Effect Vs. Ripple Effect: The Role of Family Size on the Mental Health Under the Covid-19 Pandemic in Pakistan

“…In Pakistan, we focused on family size, and the possible explanation for family size to reverse the effect of the ripple effect vs. typhoon eye effect might be due to socio-economic burden on the families due to lockdown in the country. As studies have shown that nancial constraints or economic hardships not only increased behavioral problems but also damaged the physical and mental health status of individuals and their families [37]. Thus, our ndings identify family size as a critical contingency factor in the prediction of typhoon eye effect and ripple effect.…”