At the Mental Health World Conference (MHWC 2026), this session brings together health economists, policymakers, and global health experts to examine the economic implications of mental health care. Topics include the costs of neglecting mental health, economic models of integrated care, cost-effectiveness of early intervention, and the role of insurance and universal coverage in scaling services.
Furthermore, the discussion will consider the financial impact of mental illnesses on people, their families, work organizations, and countries' healthcare systems in terms of reduced productivity, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and increased costs for prolonged medical care. The panel will illustrate that investing in mental health prevention and therapy yields significant economic benefits for society. Moreover, discussions will cover strategies for integrating health systems, including embedding mental health care within general practice, community health initiatives, and telemedicine. Financing, resource management, and public-private collaboration will also be covered with an emphasis on enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of care delivery.