Access to Better Mental Health Care Improves Overall Company Health
Posted on: Friday, 24 March 2006, 09:01 CST
By Anonymous
Employers who provide higher-quality evaluation and treatment of depression and anxiety will see overall medical costs fall, employees miss fewer days of work, and productivity rises. That's according to an article published in the November Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). "How Much Does Quality Mental Health Care Profit Employers? " was written by Alan M. Langlieb, M.D., M.P.H, M.B.A., and Jeffrey P. Kahn, M.D., of the American Psychiatric Association's (APA's) Committee on APA/Business Relations.
Mental health disorders are prevalent health concerns, and the World Health Organization predicts that major depression will be the second leading cause of disability by 2,02,0. The spending on common disorders such as depression and anxiety have been estimated as costing up to $83.i billion (in 2,000) in the United States. According to the authors, that figure underscores the need to provide employees with effective treatment, both for their well- being and the overall bottom line of a company.
With healthcare costs rising to unprecedented levels, some companies may consider reducing or eliminating mental health services in an effort to cut health costs. However, this approach could lead to increased costs. According to the article, studies have shown that patients with anxiety and/or depression and a physical illness have significantly higher healthcare costs than those with a physical illness alone.
"Mental health benefits that facilitate early intervention are key," says Dr. Langlieb. "Employees suffering from mental illnesses should receive a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and a treatment plan that might involve mental health professionals and primary care physicians. Employees will have fewer disability claims, greater work productivity, and improved quality of life."
The article "How Much Does Quality Mental Health Care Profit Employers? " can be accessed online at www.workplacementalhealth.org/ mhcprofitemployers.cfm.
Copyright Quality Publishing, Inc. Mar/Apr 2006
Source: Office Solutions
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