ABSTRACT
This chapter describes some of the principal social and economic impacts of poor mental health that are seen in the United Kingdom (UK), drawing on experience elsewhere in Europe as appropriate. It considers how these issues may be tackled, illustrating how economic evidence can help by strengthening the case for investment in mental health-related interventions. The chapter uses other economic incentives in deciding how best to co-ordinate actions across different sectors so as to maximise use of available resources to address most efficiently the concerns of those with mental health needs. The impacts of mental health on employment have knock-on implications in terms of hiring and training costs, reduced potential for economic growth, lost taxation revenue and higher social security payments. Indeed, the sustain-ability of social protection systems may be challenged by substantial increases in disability benefits paid to those people who have left work on grounds of poor mental health.
