Poor mental health has a significant economic impact on the health system and the wider economy
in Europe, with implications for the potential achievement of the Europe 2020 strategy on economic
growth. This brief primer considers what is known about the potential short, mid and longer term
economic benefits of actions across the life course focused on mental health promotion, mental
disorder prevention and early intervention. Actions that can be undertaken both within and external
to the mental health system are highlighted, drawing on recent economic analyses prepared in a UK
context, supplemented by data from other parts of Europe and elsewhere.
There is considerable variation in the strength of the evidence base and in the time period required
to achieve a return on investment. The most attractive actions include early actions in childhood
which can have substantial benefits that last well into adulthood, as well as interventions to promote
health in workplaces. Improved job retention rates reduce the need to pay social welfare payments
related to employment and disability. Workplace health promotion activities might also reduce the
risk of early retirement due to poor mental health.
Economic restructuring is not just associated with the current economic climate it is a constant
activity; there may also be interest in interventions to strengthen the mental health and resilience of
those who have been made unemployed or are at risk of unemployment or enforced change of role
at work. Loss of job, or downsizing of role have been associated with a reduction in mental health;
again early actions can reduce the risks of these events and their resource consequences for health
care systems.
Other activities examined here include tackling post natal depression, reducing the risk of suicide,
early identification of psychosis, promoting the mental health of older people, the use of debt and
financial advice services, tackling chronic co-morbid physical and mental health problems, and
addressing the issue of medically unexplained systems.