close
close

Expanding access to mental health support would help the economy, according to a new report

Expanding access to mental health support would help the economy, according to a new report

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, NAMI Ohio and the Ohio Council of Behavioral Health and Family Services Providers held a press conference on the economic impact of mental health on January 9, 2025. (Photo by Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal).

This story is about suicide. If you or someone you know needs support right now, please call, text or chat 988 Emergency line.

Increasing access to mental health services would boost the economy, according to a new study.

The cost of untreated mental health problems to the American economy is almost $300 billion – mainly due to lost productivity and higher healthcare spending, according to a new study from the Ohio Council of Behavioral Health and Family Services Providers.

“The economic toll of untreated mental health and substance use disorders is quite staggering and has far-reaching impacts on labor market outcomes, productivity and overall economic growth,” said Teresa Lampl, CEO of the Council of Behavioral and Family Health Providers in Ohio. On Thursday during a press conference. “Untreated mental health issues lead to high rates of absenteeism, reduced productivity and reduced output.”

The study found that improving access to mental health support would generate an additional $53 billion in economic output for the country.

“Investments in mental health and substance use programs simply promote business through increased productivity and reduce costs associated with mental health and substance use challenges,” Lampl said. “A healthy workforce brings benefits… it supports greater economic growth, which in turn stimulates economic spending, which is good for all of us, but most importantly, it is good for people who value health and well-being.”

Nearly 1 in 4 American adults suffers from a mental health condition, and Lampl hopes Ohio’s biennial budget will include funding to expand access to mental health support.

“The state budget is always the place where we see what is most important from the point of view of economic investment, in the field of mental health and the use of psychoactive substances, prevention and treatment services,” she said.

SUBSCRIBE: Get the morning headlines in your inbox

The study shows that recovery from mental illness increases employment and professional activity by as much as 42%, and every dollar spent on mental health treatment brings an average of $4 in improved health and productivity.

An Ohio Council study shows that untreated mental health problems can lead to higher absenteeism, reduced productivity, reduced labor force participation and unemployment.

Employees with mild, untreated mental illness miss an average of 9.3 hours of work per week The study found that people with serious mental illnesses miss 12.5 hours of work per week.

The impact of suicide is widespread, said Tony Coder, executive director of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation.

“Suicide, while painful and difficult for families, reaches far beyond the family,” he said. “This impact is felt by communities, faith-based organizations, schools, the general public and even businesses. Keeping people healthy, both physically and mentally, is not only the right thing to do from a moral standpoint, it’s also the right thing to do from a business standpoint.”

The report found that only half of adults needing mental health services received that help last year because demand for mental health and addiction services did not keep up with demand.

“If we took into account every doctor who is able to provide care, we would find that 380 people need care per year,” Lampl said. “It’s a simple math problem. There are not enough people caring for people.”

Lampl said the number of behavioral health workers needs to be increased.

“We must acknowledge and appreciate these physicians for the life-changing and life-saving care they provide every day,” Lampl said. “We need a human infrastructure of people who care about people.”

Follow the OCJ reporter Megan Henry in Bluesky.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE