https://www.imh.com.sg/Documents/research-announcements/Media%20Release_Economic%20Burden%20of%20Mental%20Disorders_FINAL4Oct.pdf **My takeaway and curiosity is: So can providing closer monitoring and better interventions reduces this cost? and improve recovery? If so, how do we do it?** - A recent analysis of health services utilisation and cost of mental disorders estimates the average annual excess costs per person1 associated with any of these mental health conditions to be S$3938.90. That is, the health system or society would be expected to incur S$3938.90 more in total costs per year for this individual than someone without a mental disorder. Based on a 13.9% prevalence rate2 of common mental health conditions among adults aged 18 and above, this is likely to cost our society an estimated S$1.7 billion per year in terms of healthcare resource utilisation and productivity loss. - Which likely to be underestimate of the true cost - caregiver burden, use of justice system, peer support services, medications social services.. etc -- said Dr Edimansyah Bin Abdin, Principal Biostatistician, Research Division. - 13.9% prevalence rate of common mental health conditions among adults age 18 and above.. - For the first time, Singapore has established the economic burden – or societal cost – of six common mental disorders here, namely major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. - ==“The prevalence of common mental disorders in Singapore increased from 12% in 2010 to 13.9% in 2016. Based on global trends, this prevalence is likely to increase in the future, and will in turn result in a higher incremental cost to society. No country in the world can afford a steep escalation in healthcare costs or productivity losses. This further strengthens the case for prevention, early treatment and ancillary support services,” says Dr Mythily. == 9. “Mental health literacy and de-stigmatisation efforts are crucial for early intervention, while right siting of care and use of evidence-based practices will help manage the cost of healthcare utilisation. A focus on occupational rehabilitation and workplace mental health support can help mitigate productivity losses,” she adds. ![[image.pdf]]