Economic and outcomes issues in mental health

D epression, commonly treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants and psychotherapy, may be the most prevalent clinical condition (12-45% of the US population) presenting to primary-care physicians in the US. 1 Unfortunately, depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated. 2 The societal cost of depression in the US is estimated to be $US44 billion (1990 values) in treatment costs, decreased productivity, lost income and suicide. In addition to presentations focusing on depression, researchers at the Second Annual Meeting of the Association for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research [ Philadelphia, US; April 1997 ] discussed issues concerning the diagnosis and management of other mental health disorders and the related impact on costs and outcomes.