The economic consequences of not treating depression.

BACKGROUND

A conceptual framework is described for a broad cost-benefit evaluation of improved financial access to treatment of untreated affective disorders.

METHOD

The analysis provides an estimate of the value of resources needed to provide improved access to treatment, and it compares these resources to the value of resources the improved access to treatment might save.

RESULTS

The cost-benefit analyses based on recent cost of mental illness studies provide some evidence that appropriately treating people with untreated affective disorders is cost-beneficial.

CONCLUSION

Patients, providers and buyers of health care should be further encouraged to pay more attention and to commit more financial resources to the treatment of affective disorders.