ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the relationship between mental health issues and economic performance, with effects such as unemployment, work absenteeism, education disruption and economic growth. Using several case studies, it explores how various methods can inform decision-makers, and particularly those in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), in order to help them meet relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in the mental health context. The chapter describes the ways in which mental health issues can influence economic performance. It also discusses how economic considerations and experiences can affect mental health. The chapter examines the methods of economic evaluation and how evidence from evaluation studies can inform decision-makers in LMIC contexts. It presents several economic arguments in the context of the UN SDGs, along with illustrations. Employment is an especially important sphere, because of its key roles in both national economic growth and personal economic circumstances.
