Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab
In light of the World Mental Health Day on the 26th of September 2023, this session focused on the timely issue of investing in mental health. Recent estimates have found the global cost of mental, neurological and substance abuse disorders to be US$8.5 trillion, which is projected to double by 2030. Despite the economic, social and personal toll, national governments spend an average of just 2% of their health budgets on mental health, which signifies a dire underinvestment. COVID-19 has only exacerbated this global mental health crisis and pushed people further into inaccessibility and disability. Nonetheless, the positive news is that several global initiatives have pathed the way for a systematic change in how we view and fund mental health.
In this panel we examined recent evidence from academic evaluations as well as hear practical insights on how to design and evaluate mental health outcome-based contracting from Outcome Funders, the Voluntary Sector, and Not-For Profits. We hope the lessons learned from these key initiatives will unlock investment and be a part of the world-wide call-to-action to re-prioritise our mental health and wellbeing.
The first afternoon session centered on the pressing topic of investment in mental health. Recognising the significant under-investment in mental health, we heard from the Healthy Brains Global Initiative. They presented their comprehensive model for estimating the global cost of mental health, featuring insights from Shayla Smith, Richard Johnson, and Dr. Lars Hartenstein. Next, Dr. Niamh Lally and Dr. John Healy shared their research findings on the implementation of the Service Reform Fund (SRF). Their research underscored the critical role of placing co-production at the heart of service delivery, a pivotal step in driving meaningful reform within national systems. Tanyah Hameed from Social Finance provided insights from the Henry Smith Project's efforts to establish evidence and promote best practices within cross-sector partnerships. Their research highlighted the importance of guarantees, which empower individuals by granting them a voice and offering adaptable, personalised support.