Healthcare costs associated with receipt of effective mental healthcare coverage in individuals with moderate or severe symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The researchers assessed the factors and healthcare costs associated with effective mental healthcare coverage (EMHC) for anxiety and depression using data from 720 participants in Alberta’s Tomorrow Project during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. They found that only 26.7% of participants received EMHC, defined as adequate pharmacotherapy and/or psychotherapy. Individuals reporting worsening self-rated mental health after the pandemic compared to before were less likely to receive EMHC. Lifetime diagnoses of anxiety and depression increased the likelihood of receiving EMHC. Adjusted total healthcare costs attributable to EMHC were $2601. These findings underscore unmet mental health needs during the pandemic and highlight the need for policies to ensure timely access to EMHC.