Mental health

A number of studies are underway or completed focusing on mental health economics and policy, including: research on the economic costs schizophrenia and psychosis, perinatal health, depression and mental health promotion and prevention; the cost-effectiveness of different interventions for youth mental health, depression, anxiety; mental health promotion strategies for children; and strategies in the workplace for older people.

Key findings

Hospital care costs for people who self-harm amount to £162 million each year
Every £1 invested in workplace stress prevention results in an estimated saving to society of £2.00 (over 2 years)
There are clear economic and societal arguments for investing in mental health interventions for women during pregnancy and immediately after birth
Perinatal mental health problems cost the UK £8.1 billion each year
Childhood bullying has a strong link to mental health service use throughout a person’s life, putting additional strain on an “already overstretched” UK healthcare system
The cost of workplace depression is US$246 billion across eight countries

Current studies

The ICare study is establishing a comprehensive model of promoting mental health in Europe, with a platform which encompasses evidence-based risk detection, disease prevention, and treatment facilitation for common mental health disorders.

The OOTLES study is evaluating the long-term economic impacts of mental health problems experienced by children and young people in three British birth cohorts (1946, 1958 and 1970) and implications for policy and service provision.

The STENGTHS programme aims to improve the responsiveness of mental health systems in Europe and key Middle Eastern countries by integrating mental health services for adult and adolescent Syrian refugees into primary and community care systems

This project seeks to understand the dynamics between poverty and mental health by examining the impact of antipoverty policies, such as cash transfers, on mental health among young people in low- and middle-income countries, as well as impact of mental health interventions on life chances and future risk of poverty.

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Mental health

Key findings

Current studies

ICare: Integrating technology into mental health care delivery in Europe

OOTLES: Long term economic impact of childhood emotional and behavioural problems

STRENGTHS: Strengthening mental health care systems for Syrian refugees in Europe and the Middle East

Understanding the dynamics between poverty, mental health and the future life chances of young people from economically deprived backgrounds

Promoting mental wellbeing Video and slides from our LSE Works seminar on promoting wellbeing

Impact: Mental health economics David McDaid describes impacts in the area of mental health

Key findings

Current studies

Promoting mental wellbeing Video and slides from our LSE Works seminar on promoting wellbeing

Video: Perinatal mental health Annetter Bauer describes research on the lifetime costs of perinatal depression

Impact: Mental health economics David McDaid describes impacts in the area of mental health