8. Mental disorders are not only of public health concern but
of economic development and societal welfare concern
as well. A study undertaken for the World Economic Forum
estimated that the cumulative global effect of mental
disorders in terms of lost economic output could amount
to US$ 16 trillion by 2030. In high-income countries, expenditures
incurred and loss of productivity from mental
disorders, equate to about 4% of gross national product
(GNP) and it is predicted that the cost of mental disorders
will more than double by 2030 across all countries (8). An
integrated package of cost-effective mental health care and
prevention interventions can be delivered in communitybased
settings for US$ 1–2 per capita per year in low- and
lower-middle income countries, and US$ 3–5 in uppermiddle
income countries (9). The median government
mental health spending per capita for low, lower-middle
and upper-middle income country groups globally is very
low (less than US$ 2), and much of the reported expenditure
is allocated to inpatient care, particularly to mental
hospitals(10).