Building an economic case for mental health promotion: part I

This paper uses economic analysis to develop the case for greater investment in mental health promotion. One example of a common mental health problem for which there is robust evidence of effective interventions is conduct disorder. The paper estimates that preventing conduct disorders in those children who are most disturbed would save around 150,000 pound per case (lifetime costs), and that promoting positive mental health in those children with moderate mental health would yield lifetime benefits of around 75,000 pound per case. Investment in support for parents is therefore the top priority in a provisional list of 'best buys' in promoting mental health.