The researchers examined data from 44,561 respondents in 19 countries – both developed and developing countries – that participate in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys. This is a global mental health-epidemiological study conducted in the general population of the countries, including the Netherlands. The same instrument was used in all the countries to determine the presence of mental health disorders.
In the Netherlands, the project was headed by the Trimbos Institute and the University of Groningen.
Among the respondents with a serious psychiatric disorder, the percentage without an income is higher than among those without the disorders. This was found in both developed countries (38% versus 24%) and in developing countries (48% versus 37%). The percentage of those employed, but earning a low income was also larger among those with serious mental health problems.
In all the countries studied, the earnings of respondents with serious mental health issues are approximately one third lower than in the other group. This income loss accounts for nearly one percent of total national income.
The authors conclude that serious mental disorders, both at individual level and at societal level are accompanied by substantial loss of earnings. Earlier studies had shown that mental illnesses can result in greater functional impairment than many somatic conditions. This information is important for policymakers in allocating funds for screening and treatment for the various disorders.
Levinson D, Lakoma MD, Petukhova M, Schoenbaum M, Zaslavsky AM, Angermeyer M, Borges G, Bruffaerts R, De Girolamo G, Graaf R de, Gureje O, Haro JM, Hu C, Karam AN, Kawakami N, Lee S, Lepine JP, Oakley Browne M, Okoliyski M, Posada-Villa J, Sagar R, Carmen Viana M, Williams D, Kessler RC. Associations of serious mental illness with earnings: results from the WHO World Mental Health surveys. British Journal of Psychiatry 2010; 197: 114-121.
Contact: Ron de Graaf
