The cost of mental disorders in France

To provide burden estimates of mental disorders in France and compare the results with findings from other countries and EU in general.

Stepwise top down approach, consisting of analyses of existing data sets, national surveys and ad hoc surveys. Mental disorder was defined by diagnoses in the chapter 'Mental and behavioural disorders' from the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision (ICD-10), excluding, dementia and mental retardation. Disease burden was measured by total health care costs, social care costs, lost output and loss of well being, 2007 data was used consistently.

The total cost of mental health care was estimated at €13.4 billion, or 8% of total healthcare expenditures. Total cost of health and social services was estimated at €6.3 billion, including €1.3 billion for informal care. Total cost of lost production amounted to €24.4 billion, €20.0 billion for lost output and €4.4 billion for workers' compensation. Mental disorders resulted in a total loss of 2.2 million QALY and a total cost of lost well being of €65.08 billion. The total costs of mental disorders were estimated at €109 billion, 20% of which are actual money spent and 80% the social value of disease consequences.

In France with a population of 65 million, an estimated 12 million inhabitants currently suffer from one or more mental disorders. The true size and burden of mental disorders in France was significantly underestimated by policy makers in the past.