(Vienna, 11 October 2023) To mark World Mental Health Day on October 10, the journal European Psychiatry published a special issue on "The Value of Treatment (VOT)", focusing on early intervention and continuity of care for mental disorders (anorexia nervosa, autism, and major depressive disorder). Health economist Judit Simon acted as academic advisor to the Study and led one of the publications.
With this new study, the European Brain Council (EBC), together with its members and academic partners, is looking at the socio-economic impact and value of optimal healthcare interventions and is also emphasizing how timely care pathways are likely to need greater integration and how collaborative care between primary care and specialist care – inexistent in many countries – can be achieved in the future for the benefit of those living with a mental disorder.
Professor Judit Simon (Head of the Department of Health Economics, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna) acted as academic consultant to the Study and led with „Viewpoint: Assessing the value of mental health treatments in Europe“ one of the 7 papers in The European Psychiatry Collection.
Many mental health disorders face similar challenges in the health care system
Like any other mental disorder, anorexia nervosa, autism, and major depressive disorder all share similar challenges. People with mental health issues face complex biological, psychosocial, and healthcare needs with clear implications in terms of quality of life and costing. According to the case study results on autism, more than 60% of parents say they do not get the support they need for their child. The duration of untreated illness for adolescents with anorexia nervosa can be high. Many young adults with major depressive disorder are not receiving treatment at any one time and it is known that both duration of untreated illness and the number of ineffective treatments trialed are risk factors for poorer long-term outcomes.