The Value of Mental Health
Strengthening personal resilience across people, productivity and protection systems
Earlier recognition of mental health conditions is creating new opportunities for action.
The Value of Mental Health examines what this shift means for people, productivity, and protection systems across six countries: Australia, Chile, Germany, Malaysia, the UAE, and the UK. It captures the everyday impact on individuals, families, employers, and public systems as demand grows.
If current trends continue, nearly one third of working age adults in Australia and the UK will be living with a mental health condition by 2030. As needs once managed informally reach formal systems, countries face a shared challenge: balancing personal resilience with supportive protection systems.
Key insights
By 2030, an average person living with a mental health condition is projected to face…
days of healthy life lost per year in Germany
employment gap compared to those without a mental health condition in the UK
days of excess sick leave for mental health reasons per year in Chile
of treatment costs covered by out-of-pocket expenditure in Malaysia
hours of informal care received per year in the UAE
lower life satisfaction in Australia
High prevalence signals visibility – not just crisis
Mental health conditions are increasing, especially among young people. However, high recorded prevalence may reflect better detection and systems uncovering previously unmet needs, rather than a sudden surge in mental illness.
The greatest costs are lived, not budgeted
The biggest impact of mental health conditions is the loss of healthy, functional life. This personal burden far exceeds what is captured in health care, social protection, and employer budgets, with wellbeing losses reaching up to 48 times formal spend.
Participation loss is the dominant productivity challenge
Mental health conditions are a key driver of productivity loss, with employment impacts projected to reach nearly 5% of GDP by 2030 in some countries. The main factor is long-term disengagement: leaving work, struggling to return, or never establishing attachment at all.
Private and informal costs remain significant
Individuals, families, and employers shoulder much of the mental health burden. Out‑of‑pocket payments, employer losses, and the value of unpaid informal care often exceed public spending – revealing gaps that formal systems alone cannot close.
Employers are on the front line
Employers are increasingly the first to recognize and support mental health needs. Through early adjustments and coordinated support, workplaces can reinforce both system pathways and the personal resilience that keeps people connected and reduces the risk of longer term inactivity.
