Prevention

Emotional wellbeing

3.1.1 The economic case for emotional wellbeing

The WHO reported that the economic cost of anxiety and depression alone was GDP $1 trillion globally in 2010 (Greenberg et al., 2016). In addition, indirect costs such as lost output attributed to mental, neurological, and substance abuse disorders was estimated between $2.5-$8.5 trillion, and is expected to double by 2030.

Furthermore, the economic ROI from investing in certain interventions for emotional wellbeing are substantial. For example, investing in better health and labour force outcomes dramatically outweighs the upfront costs of achieving them up to 3:1 when only economic benefits are considered, and up to 5.7:1 when the value of health returns are also considered (Aspen Institute, 2024).

Yet mental health disorders only receive approximately 2% spending on healthcare by governments around the world. Addressing the $200 billion to $350 billion mental health investment gap could have a transformative potential on the global NCD epidemic and economy (Herbig et al 2023). Implementing and scaling proven mental health interventions globally by 2050 could reduce direct and indirect mental health disease burden by over 40%.

  1. 3.1 Introduction
    1. 3.1.1 The economic case for emotional wellbeing
  2. 3.2 A strategy for emotional wellbeing
    1. 3.2.1 Considerations by generational group
  3. 3.3 Policy interventions
    1. 3.3.1 Policy interventions
  4. 3.4 Private sector
    1. 3.4.1 Technology and digital health tools
    2. 3.4.2 Emotional wellbeing and mental health in the workplace
    3. 3.4.3 Educational institutions
    4. 3.4.4 Social media, emotional wellbeing and mental health disorders
    5. 3.4.5 Meaning purpose and connection