Bipolar Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bipolar, including details on bipolar disorder, symptoms, treatment, depression, medication.

Cost of scaling up mental healthcare in low- and middle-income countries.

Chisholm D, Lund C, Saxena S

Department of Health Systems Financing (HSF), World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. ChisholmD@who.int

BACKGROUND: No systematic attempt has been made to calculate the costs of scaling up mental health services in low- and middle-income countries. AIMS: To estimate the expenditures needed to scale up the delivery of an essential mental healthcare package over a 10-year period (2006-2015). METHOD: A core package was defined, comprising pharmacological and/or psychosocial treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and hazardous alcohol use. Current service levels in 12 selected low- and middle-income countries were established using the WHO-AIMS assessment tool. Target-level resource needs were derived from published need assessments and economic evaluations. RESULTS: The cost per capita of providing the core package at target coverage levels (in US dollars) ranged from $1.85 to $2.60 $2.60 per year in low-income countries and $3.20 to $6.25 per year in lower-middle-income countries, an additional annual investment of $0.18-0.55 per capita. CONCLUSIONS: Although significant new resources need to be invested, the absolute amount is not large when considered at the population level and against other health investment strategies.

Published 6 December 2007 in Br J Psychiatry, 191: 528-35.
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