October 4, 2011

expert reaction to European Brain Council report on costs of mental illness in Europe

The report assessed the economic costs of mental health disorders within Europe.

Prof Hans-Ulrich Wittchen, Chairman and Director, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy and Center of Clinical Epidemiology and Logitudinal Studies (CELOS) Dresden University of Technology, said:

“Mental disorders represent a real challenge for society. They’re not only highly prevalent but also very expensive – not because of their treatment costs, which are relatively low, but because of the indirect costs that come with the high levels of long-term disability they cause. It’s this disparity between low direct costs and high indirect costs that makes the extremely low recognition and treatment rates so shocking. When patients do access treatment there can be delays of years, which allows for complications and comorbidities to develop or may even lead to suicide.

“These indirect costs, moreover, are increasing significantly. We need to take urgent action now to prevent the situation getting worse, in particular getting better at identifying mental illness and treating it. Although research for better medicines is needed, we do have treatments available that work well and are cost effective. This is a problem that can be addressed.”