MHF release new report on poor mental health costs

The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) has released a report looking at the economic cost of poor mental health.

As part of the Mental Health Foundation’s (MHF’s) continuing drive to put prevention at the centre of Scotland’s approach to mental health, they have launched a new report with the London School of Economics (LSE) and Political Science.  

The report shows that poor mental health costs the Scottish economy a staggering £8.8 billion per year. This up-to-date calculation by LSE is the first of its kind for over five years and shows the huge economic impact of poor mental health on Scottish, and UK, society.

Lee Knifton, Director of Mental Health Foundation in Scotland, said:

“Our report reveals the opportunity we have to revolutionise our approach to mental health in Scotland. It’s time to increase investment in population-level prevention of mental health problems.

We can’t only treat our way out of the mental health crisis, which is worsening due to the pandemic, and we cannot afford the spiralling costs to both people’s wellbeing and our economy.  We urge the Scottish Government to pay attention to what the evidence is telling us and commit to prioritising prevention in mental health.  A prevention-first approach will not only help break down the barriers to good mental health but empower people to thrive at every stage of their lives and boost our economy in the long run.”

Many mental health problems are preventable, so it is counter-productive to wait until problems arise before providing support.  The report describes cost-effective programmes that can prevent poor mental health.

By focusing on prevention, economic and personal costs can be reduced and support more people to live mentally healthy lives. Rather than waiting for people to become unwell and trying to access treatment, governments and decision-makers should commit to policies that promote good mental health. This should include investment in community programmes that empower everyone, especially people at higher risk, to live well.

MHF’s report provides an overview of the evidence for prevention across the life course. It details the success of initiatives such as parenting programmes, anti-bullying programmes, and workplace support.  Not only are people supported to have good mental health, but these programmes also unlock significant cost savings.

This report adds to the growing evidence presented to decision-makers across Scotland seeking to influence the policies and investment that impact all of our mental health. There is an opportunity to revolutionise the approach to mental health in Scotland: focus on preventing poor mental health, enable people to thrive, and save the economy billions in the long term.

To read the full report, visit ‘The economic case for investing in the prevention of mental health conditions in the UK’ (this link will take you away from our website).

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