The costs of schizophrenia in Puerto Rico

Mental illnesses generate social costs by reducing the productive capacity of manpower and increasing government and private expenditure in mental health services. The social costs associated with a mental illness depend on several factors: the level of impairment caused; the type of specialized service required, such as medical treatment; the chronicity of the disorder; and the age of onset of the disorder. Finally, the total cost to society depends on the size of the population affected by the disorder. Results confirm those of other research, which has found schizophrenia to be a costly illness. Annual loss of income represents 3.7% of the annual gross national product of the island. The expenditures for mental health services are 26.8% of the total budget of the Mental Health Secretariat. The large human capital cost caused by the disorder justifies more funds for research and treatment for people who are schizophrenic.