Economic Evaluation of Mental Health Interventions

This narrative review evaluates the cost-effectiveness of various mental health interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy cognitive behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral treatment, pharmacological treatments selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, group therapy, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), and digital mental health solutions. A broad range of studies from the past 20 years was included, with a focus on interventions for depression, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia. Studies were selected based on economic evaluation methods (cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, and cost-benefit) and relevance to public healthcare systems. The findings indicate that cognitive behavioral therapy and ACT are highly cost-effective, with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of $18,000 and $19,000 per quality-adjusted life year, respectively. Digital interventions, such as telemedicine and mental health apps, showed significant cost savings, particularly in underserved populations. Limitations include a lack of longitudinal studies and underrepresentation of low- and middle-income countries. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes and scalability of digital interventions.