A welfare-based approach to accessing mental health services

Mental health resource allocation is complex, as it involves a diverse range of people and circumstances. Determining eligibility for access to mental health services requires navigating a complex interplay of considerations. This theoretical paper introduces a welfare-based approach for determining access to mental health services. This approach emphasises both individual and collective welfare, blending subjective welfare, such as psychological states and personal desires, with objective welfare, like social functioning and quality of life. This theoretical approach lays the groundwork for future empirical and theoretical research alongside direct health policy recommendations in different contexts. Ultimately, this welfare-based approach aims to create a more inclusive, effective, and humane mental health system, addressing a wider range of needs and creating a more flourishing society.