Cost Impact
A report funded by European Commission agencies found that 84% of the costs of depression in Europe are borne by employers and the economy, and only 16% by health care and welfare services.
“Under current (inadequate) treatment and care arrangements,” the report says, “the productivity costs of depression will continue to grow at a significant pace.”
The OECD report, ‘Making Mental Health Count’, reports that 20% of the working age population was suffering from a mental disorder.
The costs of lost production, absences, presenteeism, decrease in supply of labour was US$1.67 trillion – twice the cost of care and treatment.
World Bank and World Health Organization projected these costs to grow exponentially over the next 10-15 years.
The WHO also found a favourable return on investing in treatment for mental disorders: a benefit-to-cost ratio of 2.3-3:1 taking into account only economic benefits and 3.3-5.7:1 when social benefits were also considered.
I
The Co-Morbidity Crisis
TARGET raised a sense of urgency about the penetrating nature of depression across the spectrum of human health problems. The Great Depression Matrix demonstrates the links between depression and a whole range of chronic conditions that can be worsened under these circumstances.
“The world’s most efficient killer, heart disease, and the great disabler, depression, are emerging as the two top sources of work years lost through disability and premature deaths.”
- Attacks the ability to make decisions, to remember, and concentrate.
- The leading cause of disability worldwide.
- Most important health problem among people of working age.
- Increases the risk of sudden death due to heart attack.
- Triggers for suicide, now the leading cause of violent death.
- Early age of onset.