Understanding The Economic Ramifications of Poor Mental Health

Introduction

When we think of sick leave, often physiological health is the first thing that comes to our mind. We seldom think of a colleague dealing with a serious mental health condition resulting in a few days or even a sabbatical.

One of the difficult parts of curing a mental health condition as opposed to a physical ailment is the lack of a quick solution. It is not as simple as taking an Advil, taking a 24-hour rest, and the next day you are back at work.

It is a matter of constant effort in therapy and taking care of one’s mental health, something which can get difficult when people around are not comprehending. However, it is not more of an implicit matter. Recent studies have shown that poor mental health among workers and employees is getting quite explicit since it is affecting the economy.

For certain serious mental health conditions like severe chronic depression, crippling social anxiety, and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) caused due to a traumatic experience in the past, it is difficult to concentrate on work.

Some employees do come to their workplace for positional obligations, but it has been noticed that productivity falters due to poor mental health. In the past year, the world has lost 1 trillion USD due to absence and lack of productivity due to poor mental health.

Physiological & Psychological

In the psychosomatic sphere, many are still trying to find the relationship between physical and psychological problems. Studies have even shown that 50% of people have more chances of catching chronic depression if they are already suffering from a disability like diabetes, asthma, or arthritis.

Recent studies have also shown the connection between heartbreak and physical pain. People who are going through a bad breakup are likely to show the same neurological functions as they would have after a physical injury.

Therefore, that team player in your team, the one who is not showing their pain, might be suffering right now. This is to debunk the ridiculous notion that “mental illness” is all in someone’s head and that someone should be fit to work even when they are obviously dealing with mental health issues.

If every mentally ill person had the ability to work as a normal healthy human being, then the employment rate would be 4% higher than the current. This clearly states that levels of productivity and how much someone is contributing to the current economy depend on their mental well-being.

Cost Of Curing High

$100 to $200 is the cost per session if you wish to visit a certified therapist, aka someone who can help cure the condition. On top of that, if you are dealing with ADHD, depression, and gender dysmorphia, the cost doubles with antidepressant medicines and hormone therapies. Therefore, you can understand the unwanted consequences of treating your mental health.

The total cost of curing a mental health issue gives someone more anxiety. Of course, not everyone can break the bank to visit the therapist every week. Plus, it is difficult to continue with the mission to cure oneself when it starts tugging on your pocket, and you have to, discontinue the session.

It is not about going to the doctor once a month or taking a dentist appointment every two months. This is a weekly affair; the worst part is the insurance loopholes. Unless it is mentioned by the doctor that a certain physical ailment requires psychological help, there are few insurances that cover the cost of therapies and medicines specifically prescribed to cure mental conditions.

A big economic ramification in terms of mental health is definitely not every population having the affordability to cure themselves.

Ghost Symptoms

Coming back to the psychosomatic sphere, sometimes many suffer from ghost pain, not knowing they are fuelled by psychological tension and not actual physical conditions. It could be the lack of research in the field of psychology, which states the physical symptoms of certain psychological conditions clearly. 

On the other hand, mental disorders have a set of uniqueness based on the character study of each subject. Secondly, education in different countries also plays a role here. The economy of a third-world country doesn’t provide enough to contribute to psychological health. That is why in most cases, it stays in the back seat.

One of the biggest economic side effects is spending thousands of dollars on medical tests trying to find the reason behind that phantom pain, only to realize that it was a mental condition.

The lack of education and medical awareness when it comes to psychological issues is indeed a serious problem. It is leading to false diagnoses and treatment in many countries leading to personal financial losses.

What Are Some Cost-Effective Psychological Treatments

Let’s face it; psychological treatment will never be free. So, to fight this economic ramification against poor mental health, some cost-effective psychological treatments can help you.

1. Group Therapy

As opposed to normal therapeutic sessions, group therapy is much more cost-effective. Since the counselor is earning as a group, charging less for each patient is easier. Only experts with proper training can proceed with conducting group therapy, so you do not have to worry about receiving inadequate treatment.

2. Online Therapy

Believe it or not, online therapy is much more cost-effective than regular ones. They are conducted by professionals who have been practicing in the field for quite some time. They do not charge for each session but rather have a combo for three to five days of therapy. You also get your first session for free to attest to their qualification and then proceed with caution.

3. Rehabilitation & Mental Health Retreat

Mental health retreats are effective when it comes to clearing your headspace and getting healthier mentally. It can do much more for your psyche than a one-day session with a therapist. You can get high-end, credible rehab programs and mental health retreats for the price of one therapy. Taking time off from your daily life might do you good, especially with the neo-contemporary treatment like Renewed Light therapy and mental detoxification they are offering.

4. Supportive Counseling

Supportive counseling focuses on providing emotional support and understanding rather than specific therapeutic techniques. It can benefit individuals experiencing situational stress or grief and be more affordable than specialized therapies.

Additionally, some areas offer mental health services through government-funded programs that aim to make mental healthcare more accessible to all individuals.