The Economic Burden of Mental Illness

Mental illness imposes a substantial burden on individuals and society. Using data from national surveys and a newly developed methodology for calculating costs, the authors estimate that in 1985 the total economic costs of mental illness were 103. 7 billion. Of this total, direct treatment and support costs were 42. 5 billion, or 11. 5 percent of total personal health care spending for all illnesses. Morbidity costs--the value of reduced or lost productivity--amounted to 47. 4 billion. Mortality costs--the lost value of productivity due to premature death resulting from mental illness--were estimated to be 9. 3 billion, or 5. 1 percent of total productivity losses for all deaths. Other related costs, including the cost of caregiver services, amounted to 4. 5 billion.