The economic impact of not making proper mental health care available far exceeds the cost of actually providing it.

This is according to Professor Crick Lund who estimates that in 2003 South Africa lost approximately U$3.6 billion due to lack of productivity and income caused by mental illness, compared to the U$59 million the country actually spends on it every year.

“As you can see, we are losing a lot more than we are spending,” Lund said during his presentation at the Carnegie III Conference that focuses on Strategies to overcome Poverty and Inequality, currently underway at the University of Cape Town (UCT).

Contrary to the general perception that mental illness is only problematic in high-income countries, or that poor people don’t get depressed, South Africa has a high burden of mental illness, said Lund who is with the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Illness at UCT.

Every year one in six South Africans experience symptoms of mental illness, including depression, anxiety and substance abuse.

In fact, more evidence is coming to light, linking mental illness to poverty. In addition to the health costs incurred by treating mental illness, the condition often results in income loss due to absenteeism, decreased productivity and job loss.

Another important consideration is the co-morbidity with other disease. According to Lund, research shows that mental illness often goes hand-in-hand with other disease, such as hypertension, diabetes and respiratory problem. People with mental problems are also at an increased risk for contracting HIV.

“Therefore by addressing people’s mental health needs, you could also be addressing other health problems,” said Lund.

Mental health problems are on the rise and by 2030 it is expected to be one of the biggest health problems worldwide, second only to heart disease. Currently it is responsible for 13 percent of the global health burden and an estimated 877 000 people commit suicide every year.