Almost 1bn people are currently living with a mental health condition worldwide.¹ Having good mental health is paramount for individuals to lead healthy, productive lives and is also the basis for strong economies.^2 3

The most common mental health conditions cost the global economy an estimated US$1tr each year, with costs mainly driven by lost productivity and set to rise to US$6tr by 2030.⁴ Mental health conditions can affect all areas of life, are a leading cause of disability and premature death.^{5 6 7}

Rethinking mental health care: harnessing new approaches is an Economist Impact report, commissioned by Boehringer Ingelheim, that investigates the current state of mental health policy and practice, where improvements are needed, key innovation areas (focusing on personalised and precision care) and innovation readiness.

Key takeaways

1. Changing public perceptions

Policymakers and civil society can address stigma through campaigns to educate the general public and normalise mental health treatment-seeking in common mental health conditions (such as anxiety) and serious mental health conditions (like schizophrenia) where stigma remains a persistent issue.

2. Ensuring the quality of care

To improve the consistency of care, clinical guideline groups and professional societies can encourage mental health professionals to follow guidelines and best practice based on best available evidence.
Professional societies representing the different professions in mental health can encourage and facilitate collaboration through shared conferences, promoting multi-disciplinary teams and creating inter-disciplinary guidelines.
Guideline developers and professional societies emphasise the importance and value of incorporating patient and care-giver perspectives in their guidelines. Individual mental health professionals can also ensure that they are practising person-centred care.

3. Enhancing the workforce

Policymakers can address workforce retention through audits designed to understand the make-up of the workforce, satisfaction and why people leave, to inform strategic workforce planning.
Universities, teaching hospitals and professional societies play a pivotal role in ensuring that members of the workforce are well trained when they enter the profession and maintain up-to-date knowledge throughout their career.

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