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Economic outcomes are the economic consequences
of mental health intervention, or lack of intervention, to the
community as a whole and include consideration of the overall
cost to society of mental disorders. Economic outcomes also include
the economic consequences of mental health intervention to the
individual and their family and other carers. "The economic impact
of mental disorders is wide-ranging, long-lasting and large. Measurable
causes of economic burden include health and social services needs,
impact on families and caregivers (indirect costs) lost employment
and lost productivity, crime and public safety, and premature
death." (155)
In the context of perennial pressures on resources,
which is now perhaps also more widely acknowledged, more stakeholders
in mental health care systems want economic evidence to guide
their arguments, decisions and behaviours. "Cost- effectiveness
data can be compared to interventions for other physical conditions,
in order to provide a firmer basis for new investment" of resources
and greater parity between mental and physical health conditions.
(156)
However, "few economic evaluations have been conducted outside
Western Europe, North America or Australia." (157)
We have identified four key sub-elements that should
be considered in assessing the economic outcomes resulting from
the implementation of a mental health policy and service system.
- Direct Costs and Indirect Costs
- Productive Role
- Externalities
- Poverty levels at individual and population levels
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