Exploring the return-on-investment for scaling screening and psychosocial treatment for women with common perinatal mental health problems in Malawi: Developing a cost-benefit-calculator tool.

This study sought to develop a user-friendly decision-making tool to explore country-specific estimates for costs and economic consequences of different options for scaling screening and psychosocial interventions for women with common perinatal mental health problems in Malawi. We developed a simple simulation model using a structure and parameter estimates that were established iteratively with experts, based on published trials, international databases and resources, statistical data, best practice guidance and intervention manuals. The model projects annual costs and returns to investment from 2022 to 2026. The study perspective is societal, including health expenditure and productivity losses. Outcomes in the form of health-related quality of life are measured in Disability Adjusted Life Years, which were converted into monetary values. Economic consequences include those that occur in the year in which the intervention takes place. Results suggest that the net benefit is relatively small at the beginning but increases over time as learning effects lead to a higher number of women being identified and receiving (cost­)effective treatment. For a scenario in which screening is first provided by health professionals (such as midwives) and a second screening and the intervention are provided by trained and supervised volunteers to equal proportions in group and individual sessions, as well as in clinic versus community setting, total costs in 2022 amount to US$ 0.66 million and health benefits to US$ 0.36 million. Costs increase to US$ 1.03 million and health benefits to US$ 0.93 million in 2026. Net benefits increase from US$ 35,000 in 2022 to US$ 0.52 million in 2026, and return-on-investment ratios from 1.05 to 1.45. Results from sensitivity analysis suggest that positive net benefit results are highly sensitive to an increase in staff salaries. This study demonstrates the feasibility of developing an economic decision-making tool that can be used by local policy makers and influencers to inform investments in maternal mental health.

A longitudinal study on impact of emergency cash transfer payments during the COVID pandemic on coping among Australian young adults.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused financial hardship and psychological distress among young Australians. This study investigates whether the Australian Government's emergency cash transfer payments-specifically welfare expansion for those unemployed prior to the pandemic (known in Australia as the Coronavirus Supplement) and JobKeeper (cash support for those with reduced or stopped employment due to the pandemic)-were associated with individual's level of coping during the coronavirus pandemic among those with and without mental disorders (including anxiety, depression, ADHD and autism). The sample included 902 young adults who participated in all of the last three waves (8, 9C1, 9C2) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC), a nationally representative cohort study. Modified Poisson regression models were used to assess the impact of emergency cash transfer payments on 18-22-year-old's self-rated coping level, stratifying the analysis by those with and without mental disorders. All models were adjusted for gender, employment, location, family cohesion, history of smoking, alcohol intake, and COVID-19 test result. Of the 902-person sample analysed, 41.5% (n = 374) reported high levels of coping, 18.9% (n = 171) reported mental disorders, 40.3% (n = 364) received the Coronavirus Supplement and 16.4% (n = 148) received JobKeeper payments. Analysing the total sample demonstrated that participants who received the JobKeeper payment were more likely to have a higher level of coping compared to those who did not receive the JobKeeper payment. Stratified analyses demonstrated that those with pre-existing mental disorder obtained significant benefit from the JobKeeper payment on their level of coping, compared to those who did not receive JobKeeper. In contrast, receipt of the Coronavirus Supplement was not significantly associated with higher level of coping. Among those with no mental health disorder, neither the Coronavirus Supplement nor JobKeeper had a statistically significant impact on level of coping. These findings suggest the positive impacts of cash transfers on level of coping during the pandemic were limited to those with a pre-existing mental disorder who received JobKeeper.

Is cost a barrier to general practice for Australians with mental illness?

What is known about the topic? Cost is thought to be a barrier to access to primary care for people with mental illness. What does this paper add? Nearly three-quarters of clients of one mental health services do not report cost to be a barrier to primary care. What are the implications for practitioners? Efforts to help people with mental illness engage in primary care may be best directed towards areas other than the cost of access.

Prevalence, predictors, and economic burden of mental health disorders among asylum seekers, refugees and migrants from African countries: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Asylum seekers, migrants, and refugees from African countries may have significant health needs, resulting in economic implications for receiving countries around the world. The risk of mental illness is higher in these communities because of factors like violence, deprivation, and post-immigration challenges. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the literature to determine the prevalence, predictors, and economic impacts of mental health (MH) disorders among asylum seekers, migrants, and refugees from African countries. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this scoping review, we followed the guidelines from PRISMA and CoCoPop. A modified version of the Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) was used to assess study quality for cross-sectional studies, while an appraisal list was used for qualitative studies based on the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP). Inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed articles published in English, and articles based on official reports from credible institutions and organizations. Among the exclusion criteria were publications that were not peer reviewed or had not been sourced by credible sources, publications that did not meet the study topic or language criteria, mixed populations (including Africans and non-Africans), and research abstracts, reviews, news articles, commentary on study protocols, case reports, letters, and guidelines. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search was carried out in Medline (via PubMed), EMBASE, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science and EBSCO, to identify relevant articles that were published between 1 January 2000 and 31 January 2024. RESULTS: A total of 38 studies met the inclusion criteria, including 22 from African countries and three qualitative studies. In terms of number of countries contributing, Uganda was the largest (n = 7), followed by Italy (n = 4). The most studied conditions, using multiple diagnostic tools, were Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD, n = 19) and depression (n = 17). These studies all revealed elevated rates of mental health disorders among these groups, and these were related to migration, refugee-related factors, and traumatic events. Most of these groups are dominated by young males. There is, however, a prominent presence of minors and women who have suffered a variety of forms of violence, in particular sexual violence. Furthermore, mental illnesses, such as PTSD and depression, are not only persistent, but can also be transmitted to children. In accordance with our inclusion criteria, our review found only one study that examined the economic impact of MH disorders in these groups, leaving a significant knowledge gap. According to this randomized controlled trial, intervention to reduce psychological impairment can help young people stay in school, improve their quality-adjusted life year (QALY), and earn an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $7260 for each QALY gained. CONCLUSION: Asylum seekers, migrants, and refugees from African countries are likely to experience MH needs, according to this scoping review. As well as posing persistent challenges, these disorders can also be transmissible to offspring. In addition to longitudinal studies of these groups, economic impact studies of mental illnesses are necessary.

Strategies, processes, outcomes, and costs of implementing experience sampling-based monitoring in routine mental health care in four European countries: study protocol for the IMMERSE effectiveness-implementation study.

BACKGROUND: Recent years have seen a growing interest in the use of digital tools for delivering person-centred mental health care. Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM), a structured diary technique for capturing moment-to-moment variation in experience and behaviour in service users' daily life, reflects a particularly promising avenue for implementing a person-centred approach. While there is evidence on the effectiveness of ESM-based monitoring, uptake in routine mental health care remains limited. The overarching aim of this hybrid effectiveness-implementation study is to investigate, in detail, reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance as well as contextual factors, processes, and costs of implementing ESM-based monitoring, reporting, and feedback into routine mental health care in four European countries (i.e., Belgium, Germany, Scotland, Slovakia). METHODS: In this hybrid effectiveness-implementation study, a parallel-group, assessor-blind, multi-centre cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT) will be conducted, combined with a process and economic evaluation. In the cRCT, 24 clinical units (as the cluster and unit of randomization) at eight sites in four European countries will be randomly allocated using an unbalanced 2:1 ratio to one of two conditions: (a) the experimental condition, in which participants receive a Digital Mobile Mental Health intervention (DMMH) and other implementation strategies in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) or (b) the control condition, in which service users are provided with TAU. Outcome data in service users and clinicians will be collected at four time points: at baseline (t0), 2-month post-baseline (t1), 6-month post-baseline (t2), and 12-month post-baseline (t3). The primary outcome will be patient-reported service engagement assessed with the service attachment questionnaire at 2-month post-baseline. The process and economic evaluation will provide in-depth insights into in-vivo context-mechanism-outcome configurations and economic costs of the DMMH and other implementation strategies in routine care, respectively. DISCUSSION: If this trial provides evidence on reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance of implementing ESM-based monitoring, reporting, and feedback, it will form the basis for establishing its public health impact and has significant potential to bridge the research-to-practice gap and contribute to swifter ecological translation of digital innovations to real-world delivery in routine mental health care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN15109760 (ISRCTN registry, date: 03/08/2022).

[Mental health problems among employees: service use and costs to the German healthcare system]. / Psychische Belastungen bei Erwerbstätigen: Leistungsinanspruchnahme und Kosten für das deutsche Gesundheitssystem.

BACKGROUND: Service use among employees with mental health problems and the associated costs for the health and social system have not yet been systematically analysed in studies or have only been recorded indirectly. The aim of this article is to report the service use in this target group, to estimate the costs for the health and social system and to identify possible influencing factors on the cost variance. METHODS: As part of a multicentre study, use and costs of health and social services were examined for a sample of 550 employees with mental health problems. Service use was recorded using the German version of the Client Sociodemographic Service Receipt Inventory (CSSRI). Costs were calculated for six months. A generalized linear regression model was used to examine influencing cost factors. RESULTS: At the start of the study, the average total costs for the past six months in the sample were €â€¯5227.12 per person (standard deviation €â€¯7704.21). The regression model indicates significant associations between increasing costs with increasing age and for people with depression, behavioural syndromes with physiological symptoms, and other diagnoses. DISCUSSION: The calculated costs were similar in comparison to clinical samples. It should be further examined in longitudinal studies whether this result changes through specific interventions.

Stepped, evidence-based and integrated care service model vs. usual care for mental disorders: A randomized controlled trial (RECOVER).

Stepped, evidence-based and integrated care service models have the potential to be used as a reference for mental health services. RECOVER aimed to evaluate cost savings, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of such a model within a two arm, assessor- and data analysist-blinded RCT in Hamburg, Germany. Participants aged 16-79 years with mental disorders were randomly assigned either to RECOVER or treatment as usual (TAU). Primary outcomes comprised costs, effectiveness (combined symptoms, functioning, quality of life), and cost-effectiveness, hierarchically ordered. Outcomes were evaluated according to the ITT principle, group differences regarding costs with adjusted generalized linear models, effectiveness with ANCOVA models, and cost-effectiveness with the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves (CEACs). Between 1/1/2018 and 12/31/2020, n = 891 were finally included (n = 477 in RECOVER, n = 444 in TAU). RECOVER was associated with significantly lower annual total costs (-22 %), health and social care costs (-25 %) and hospital costs (-50 %). Effectiveness analyses showed a significantly better outcome for RECOVER with the fully imputed data . The CEACs descriptively demonstrated that RECOVER was cost-effective with a probability of >95 %. Treatment in RECOVER resulted in substantial cost reductions with better cost-effectiveness. RECOVER can be recommended as a reference model for comprehensive and integrated mental health services.

[Incapacity to work due to mental disorders-economic, individual, and treatment-specific aspects]. / Arbeitsunfähigkeit bei psychischen Störungen ­ ökonomische, individuelle und behandlungsspezifische Aspekte.

The changes in the modern work environment are accompanied by specific stressors that can have a negative impact on employees' mental health. In line with this, the proportion of sick-leave days due to mental disorders has recently risen to 17.7% compared to 10.9% in 2007, which in 2021 was associated with costs of 42.9 billion euros due to losses of gross value and productivity.Based on current health economic studies, this review provides an overview of the economic impact of incapacity to work and early retirement due to various mental disorders in Germany. In absolute figures, expenditure on incapacity to work is particularly high for common mental illnesses such as affective and anxiety disorders. Rarer mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders cause high costs in relation to their low prevalence, particularly due to sickness benefit payments.In addition to these economic implications, the consequences of incapacity to work, early retirement, and unemployment are examined at an individual level and explanatory approaches for the specific psychosocial stresses are presented. The latter highlights the need for scientifically substantiated treatment methods. Certified treatments have proven to be efficient in reducing the number of sick-leave days, particularly for common mental disorders. This applies even more to workplace-related interventions, which appear to be superior to conventional methods in this respect. Workplace-based therapies incorporate work-related models and focus on the planning of reintegration into the workplace. Further naturalistic studies are needed to test the transferability of the effectiveness of these treatments to other disorders.

Climate Change and Mental Health.

This JAMA Insights discusses the adverse effects of climate change on mental health and proposes solutions to help mitigate those effects.

Recipients of Representative Payeeship with Mental Illness: Financial Leverage, Conflict, and Satisfaction.

This study aimed to examine self-report of financial leverage, conflict, and satisfaction pertaining to representative payeeship for persons with mental illness, which research has not examined in the past decade. Sixty representative payee recipients with mental illness residing across the U.S. completed an online survey, with most (n = 50) receiving representative payeeship by family members/friends. Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests and Spearman correlations were computed. One-third of participants reported experiencing financial leverage and conflict "sometimes" or more often and were dissatisfied with their representative payee arrangement. With the exception of use of alcohol and/or drugs, no participant characteristic was associated with financial leverage, conflict, or satisfaction. Financial leverage was reported to be greater when representative payees were family members/friends. Financial leverage and conflict were positively associated with each other and negatively associated with satisfaction. It is advisable that satisfaction with representative payeeship be increased and conflict resulting from representative payeeship be minimized.

Health service and medication costs associated with common mental disorders and subthreshold symptoms in women: Findings from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study in Australia.

OBJECTIVE: This analysis estimated 2013 annual healthcare costs associated with the common mental disorders of mood and anxiety disorders and psychological symptoms within a representative sample of Australian women. METHODS: Data from the 15-year follow-up of women in the Geelong Osteoporosis Study were linked to 12-month Medicare Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data. A Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Non-patient edition identified common mental disorders and the General Health Questionnaire 12 assessed psychological symptoms. Participants were categorised into mutually exclusive groups: (1) common mental disorder (past 12 months), (2) subthreshold (no common mental disorder and General Health Questionnaire 12 score ⩾4) or (3) no common mental disorder and General Health Questionnaire 12 score <4. Two-part and hurdle models estimated differences in service use, and adjusted generalised linear models estimated mean differences in costs between groups. RESULTS: Compared to no common mental disorder, women with common mental disorders utilised more Medicare Benefits Schedule services (mean 26.9 vs 20.0, p < 0.001), had higher total Medicare Benefits Schedule cost ($1889 vs $1305, p < 0.01), received more Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme prescriptions (35.8 vs 20.6, p < 0.001), had higher total Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme cost ($1226 vs $740, p < 0.05) and had significantly higher annual out-of-pocket costs for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme prescriptions ($249 vs $162, p < 0.001). Compared to no common mental disorder, subthreshold women were less likely to use any Medicare Benefits Schedule service (89.6% vs 97.0%, p < 0.01), but more likely to use mental health services (11.4% vs 2.9%, p < 0.01). The subthreshold group received more Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme prescriptions (mean 43.3 vs 20.6, p < 0.001) and incurred higher total Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme cost ($1268 vs $740, p < .05) compared to no common mental disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Common mental disorders and subthreshold psychological symptoms place a substantial economic burden on Australian healthcare services and consumers.

Implementation Feasibility and Hidden Costs of Statewide Scaling of Evidence-Based Therapies for Children and Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: State mental health systems are retraining their workforces to deliver services supported by research. Knowledge about evidence-based therapies (EBTs) for child and adolescent disorders is robust, but the feasibility of their statewide scaling has not been examined. The authors reviewed implementation feasibility for 12 commonly used EBTs, defining feasibility for statewide scaling as an EBT having at least one study documenting acceptability, facilitators and barriers, or fidelity; at least one study with a racially and ethnically diverse sample; an entity for training, certification, or licensing; and fiscal data reflecting the costs of implementation. METHODS: The authors reviewed materials for 12 EBTs being scaled in New York State and conducted a literature review with search terms relevant to their implementation. Costs and certification information were supplemented by discussions with treatment developers and implementers. RESULTS: All 12 EBTs had been examined for implementation feasibility, but only three had been examined for statewide scaling. Eleven had been studied in populations reflecting racial-ethnic diversity, but few had sufficient power for subgroup analyses to demonstrate effectiveness with these samples. All had certifying or licensing entities. The per-clinician costs of implementation ranged from $500 to $3,500, with overall ongoing costs ranging from $100 to $6,000. A fiscal analysis of three EBTs revealed hidden costs ranging from $5,000 to $24,000 per clinician, potentially limiting sustainability. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence necessary for embedding EBTs in state systems has notable gaps that may hinder sustainability. Research-funding agencies should prioritize studies that focus on the practical aspects of scaling to assist states as they retrain their workforces.

Health Care Spending, Use, and Financial Hardship Among Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage Enrollees With Mental Health Symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the differences in health care spending and utilization, and financial hardship between Traditional Medicare (TM) and Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees with mental health symptoms. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: We identified Medicare beneficiaries with mental health symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and the Kessler-6 Psychological Distress Scale in the 2015-2021 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. MEASUREMENTS: Outcomes included health care spending and utilization (both general and mental health services), and financial hardship. The primary independent variable was MA enrollment. RESULTS: MA enrollees with mental health symptoms were 2.3 percentage points (95% CI: -3.4, -1.2; relative difference: 16.1%) less likely to have specialty mental health visits than TM enrollees with mental health symptoms. There were no significant differences in total health care spending, but annual out-of-pocket spending was $292 (95% CI: 152-432; 18.2%) higher among MA enrollees with mental health symptoms than TM enrollees with mental health symptoms. Additionally, MA enrollees with mental health symptoms were 5.0 (95% CI: 2.9-7.2; 22.3%) and 2.5 percentage points (95% CI: 0.8-4.2; 20.9%) more likely to have difficulty paying medical bills over time and to experience high financial burden than TM enrollees with mental health symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that MA enrollees with mental health symptoms were more likely to experience limited access to mental health services and high financial hardship compared to TM enrollees with mental health symptoms. There is a need to develop policies aimed at improving access to mental health services while reducing financial burden for MA enrollees.

Profile and costs involved in long-term compulsory hospitalization of psychiatric patients

Objective: Involuntary hospitalization for acute psychiatry cases can be acceptable when there is potential harm. However, there are few reasons for a patient committed on these grounds to stay in an institution for a long period. The objective of the present study was to identify the profile and costs of compulsory hospitalizations over 20 days in a public psychiatric hospital in the coastal region of the state of São Paulo. Methods: Retrospective data were collected from the medical records of 1,064 patients admitted between July 2013 and June 2016 from an intensive mental healthcare unit in Santos, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Results: Records were found of 527 patients who had been hospitalized for at least 21 days during the study period. Long-term hospitalization related to judicial mandates represented 5.9% of the total sample. These patients stayed in the hospital for an average period of 142 days, while patients hospitalized for any other reason stayed an average period of 35 days (p < 0.001). The cost of a long-term court-ordered hospitalization averaged US$ 21,311 per patient. Conclusion: Judicial mandate has been an important reason for the long-term hospitalization of chronic psychiatric patients in Santos, Brazil.

Equidade na cobertura dos gastos com saúde pelo Sistema Único de Saúde de pessoas com indicativos de transtornos mentais comuns no município de São Paulo / Equity in the coverage of health expenses by the Brazilian Unified Health System for people with signs of common mental disorders in the city of São Paulo

RESUMO: Introdução: O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a equidade na cobertura/complementação dos gastos com saúde pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) de pessoas com indicativos de transtornos mentais comuns (TMC), no ano de 2008, no município de São Paulo. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo de corte transversal a partir dos dados do Inquérito de Saúde no Município de São Paulo de 2008 (ISA-Capital 2008). Os sujeitos incluídos na pesquisa tinham 16 anos de idade ou mais e indicativos de TMC, avaliados por meio do instrumento Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Foram analisados: a procura pelo SUS, a cobertura dos gastos com saúde pelo SUS e os gastos com saúde no último mês, correlacionando-os com aspectos sociodemográficos e de condições de saúde. Resultados: A procura pelo SUS foi menor entre as pessoas de cor branca, renda per capita elevada, com união estável e Ensino Superior. A cobertura pelo SUS foi menor entre as faixas etárias de 45 a 59 anos e de 60 anos ou mais, com renda per capita elevada, Ensino Médio ou Técnico e Ensino Superior. As pessoas que gastaram mais com a saúde da família foram aquelas com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos, de cor branca, renda per capita mais elevada, com união estável e Ensino Superior. Conclusões: Foi observado que o SUS atende e cobre os gastos majoritariamente daqueles com renda per capita e escolaridade mais baixas, denotando uma cobertura desigual que favorece os mais necessitados. Porém, considerando o fator idade, ficou explícita uma situação de iniquidade, pois foi constatada maior cobertura dos gastos em saúde pelo SUS para a população mais jovem.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The objective of this investigation was to check equity in coverage/complementation of health expenses by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) for people with signs of common mental disorders, in 2008, in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study with data from the 2008 São Paulo Health Survey. Individuals aged 16 or older and with signs of common mental disorders were selected and evaluated with the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). The following aspects were analyzed: demand for SUS, coverage of health expenses by SUS, and health expenses in the previous month, withal according to sociodemographic and health conditions. Results: The search for SUS services was lower among white people with higher per capita incomes, in a stable union, and with higher education degrees. Coverage by SUS was lower for people aged between 45 and 59 years and aged 60 years or older, with higher per capita incomes, with high or technical school, and college degrees. Subjects who spent more on family health were 60 years or older, white, with high per capita income, in a stable union, and with a college degree. Conclusions: Among people with signs of common mental disorders, SUS mainly services and covers the expenses of the poorer population with lower educational level; therefore coverage is unequal and favors who needs it the most. However, considering age, inequity became explicit, since SUS was shown to offer wider coverage of health expenses to the youngest population.

Impacto económico y carga de los trastornos mentales comunes en España: una revisión sistemática y crítica / A systematic review and critique of the economic impact and burden of common mental disorders in Spain

Trastornos mentales comunes hace referencia a los más prevalentes, en especial trastornos de ansiedad, trastornos del ánimo y, a veces, somatizaciones. Se trata de desórdenes emocionales muy presentes en Atención Primaria, con un 49.2% de probables casos, presentando una frecuente asociación con varias enfermedades crónicas. Por su alta prevalencia, así como por el alto porcentaje de casos no tratados y el bajo porcentaje que siguen un tratamiento mínimamente basado en la evidencia, generan los mayores costes y carga entre los trastornos mentales. Sin embargo, existen diferentes enfoques y metodologías a la hora de cuantificar su impacto. El objetivo de este estudio es llevar a cabo una revisión sistemática y crítica de los estudios publicados sobre costes y carga de los trastornos mentales comunes en España desde el año 2006 que ayude a clarificar este campo. Los resultados muestran que, en la escasa literatura encontrada, solo 15 artículos cumplían criterios de inclusión; existen grandes diferencias en la metodología en cuanto a los costes a analizar y las fuentes de datos utilizadas y, por tanto, en los resultados. A pesar de la heterogeneidad, estos trastornos mentales comunes representaron el 2.2% del PIB, el 50% de los costes de todos los trastornos mentales, así como la primera causa de discapacidad (años vividos con discapacidad [AVD]) atribuida a una única enfermedad, la depresión. En conclusión, existe escasa literatura científica acerca de los costes y la carga de los trastornos mentales comunes en España. La gran diversidad en la metodología no permite llevar a cabo metaanálisis sobre este tema, por lo que sería recomendable definir criterios para unificar las futuras evaluaciones económicas en este campo

Common mental disorders include the most prevalent disturbances, especially anxiety and mood disorders, as well as somatizations in fewer cases. These disorders are frequently found in primary care (49.2% of probable cases) and are associated with high rates of several chronic illnesses. Given their high prevalence rates, in addition to high rates of untreated cases and low percentage of cases that follow a minimally evidence-based treatment, these disorders impose the greatest costs and burdens among all mental disorders. However, there are different approaches and methodologies when it comes to quantifying their impact. The aim of this study is to carry out a systematic review and critique of published studies since 2006, on the costs and burdens of common mental disorders in Spain. Only 15 studies met the inclusion criteria; there were large methodological differences in terms of the sources used, cost analyses and, hence, the results obtained. Despite the heterogeneity, these common mental disorders account for 2.2% of the GDP in Spain and are responsible for 50% of the costs of all mental disorders; depression on its own is the leading cause of disability (Years Lived with Disability [YLD]) worldwide. There is little literature on the costs and burdens of common mental disorders in Spain. The great diversity in methodologies restricts the meta-analysis on this subject. In conclusion, it would be recommendable to define standardized criteria for future studies in order to evaluate the impact of these disorders in a more rigorous way

Determinants of Mental Health Care Utilization in a Suicide High-risk Group With Suicidal Ideation / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The suicide rate in Korea is increasing every year, and is the highest among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. Psychiatric patients in particular have a higher risk of suicide than other patients. This study was performed to evaluate determinants of mental health care utilization among individuals at high risk for suicide. METHODS: Korea Health Panel data from 2009 to 2011 were used. Subjects were individuals at high risk of suicide who had suicidal ideation, a past history of psychiatric illness, or had utilized outpatient services for a psychiatric disorder associated with suicidal ideation within the past year. The chi-square test and hierarchical logistic regression were used to identify significant determinants of mental health care utilization. RESULTS: The total number of subjects with complete data on the variables in our model was 989. Individuals suffering from three or more chronic diseases used mental health care more frequently. Mental health care utilization was higher in subjects who had middle or high levels of educational attainment, were receiving Medical Aid, or had a large family size. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to control risk factors in high-risk groups as part of suicide prevention strategies. The clinical approach, which includes community-based intervention, entails the management of reduction of suicidal risk. Our study identified demographic characteristics that have a significant impact on mental health care utilization and should be considered in the development of suicide prevention strategies. Further studies should examine the effect of mental health care utilization on reducing suicidal ideation.

Reflections on the face of the person with mental illness: an american perspective / Reflexiones sobre la cara de la persona enferma mental: una perspectiva estadounidense

One in five adults and children in the United States experience some form of mental illness. Although there have been amazing developments in science, improved education of a cadre of mental health professionals, enhanced drug therapy, more public funding, and innovative trauma informed care, significant mental health disparities persist. Enduring myths about mental illness, separate but unequal physical and mental health delivery systems, lack of mental health parity in benefits, payments and access to health insurance, inadequate and un-coordinated community-based services, and an established mode of health delivery that values profit margins and rewards high technology medicine contribute to the burden of the person with mental illness. Poor individuals and families, members of minority groups, children in foster care, and persons who experience or witness violence are most at risk for mental disorders. These groups are untreated and lack access to the Social Determinants of Health. The great promise of the Community Mental Health Act of 1963 remains unfulfilled. Will the Affordable Care Act of 2010 and Medicaid expansion enable persons with mental disorders to obtain health insurance and find community-based delivery systems to help them cope with their treatable chronic disease? Good will is not enough. Social justice is an action theory. It invites us to stand in solidarity with the mentally oppressed and share their burdens. We are invited us to look into the faces of persons with mental illness with respect.

Uno de cada cinco adultos y niños en los Estados Unidos sufre algún tipo de enfermedad mental. Aunque se han producido avances asombrosos en la ciencia con la mejora de la educación de un grupo de profesionales de la salud mental, terapia de drogas mejorada, más fondos públicos y de atención de trauma innovadora, las disparidades significativas de salud mental persisten. Los mitos perdurables sobre las enfermedades mentales, los sistemas de salud física y mental separados pero desiguales, falta de paridad de salud mental en los beneficios, pagos y el acceso al seguro de salud, los servicios inadecuados y poco coordinados basados en la comunidad, y una vía reconocida de prestación de salud que los valores márgenes de beneficios y recompensas médicas de alta tecnología contribuyen a la carga de la persona con enfermedad mental. Los individuos y las familias pobres, los miembros de los grupos minoritarios, los niños en hogares y las personas que experimentan la violencia o testigo de ella están en riesgo de trastornos mentales. Estos grupos son tratados y no tienen acceso a los Determinantes Sociales de la Salud. La gran promesa de la Ley de Salud Mental de la Comunidad de 1963 no se ha cumplido. ¿La Ley de Asistencia Asequible de 2010 y la expansión de Medicaid de las personas con trastornos mentales para obtener un seguro de salud hacer frente a su enfermedad crónica tratable? La buena voluntad no es suficiente. La justicia social es una teoría de la acción. Nos invita a ser solidarios con los oprimidos mentales y compartir sus cargas. Los invitamos a mirar con respeto la cara de las personas con enfermedad mental.

Impacto de los trastornos psiquiátricos comunes y las condiciones crónicas físicas en el individuo y la sociedade / The impact of common mental and physical health conditions on days out of role: costs for the individual and society

OBJETIVO: Estimar los costos individuales y poblacionales de condiciones crónicas físicas y mentales comunes en la población mexicana, en función del número de días perdidos por problemas en el funcionamiento. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: 5 826 adultos fueron evaluados entre 2001-2002 con la Entrevista Internacional Psiquiátrica Compuesta y el Cuestionario para la Evaluación de Discapacidades. Se realizaron modelos generales lineales y se estimó la proporción de riesgo atribuible a la población, tomando en cuenta la prevalencia de la condición y la comorbilidad. RESULTADOS: Las condiciones de mayor impacto para el individuo son la depresión, el estrés postraumático y el trastorno bipolar. Las de mayor impacto a nivel poblacional son la depresión, el dolor, el insomnio y las enfermedades cardiovasculares. CONCLUSIÓN: Los hallazgos señalan la importancia de aumentar el gasto en salud mental para asignar una proporción más equitativa para su atención en cuanto al costo que representan para la sociedad.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the individual and societal costs of common mental and physical health conditions in the Mexican population with regards to the number of days out of role. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 5 826 adults were evaluated in 2001-2002 with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule. General linear models were used to estimate individual-level effects. Societal-level effects were estimated with the population attributable risk proportion which takes into account prevalence and comorbidity of disorders. RESULTS: The conditions with the strongest individual -level effects were major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder. The strongest societal-level effects were associated with major depression, pain, insomnia and cardiovascular conditions. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest the importance of investing in mental health expenditure to a level commensurate with the costs to society of mental health disorders.