People willing to pay higher taxes for mental care

PEOPLE are willing to pay higher taxes for community-based mental care as the economic cost of dealing with mental health problems soars above the €3 billion mark, research has shown.

The report, published yesterday by the Mental Health Commission, found that the healthcare system accounts for less than one-quarter of the costs involved.

The main costs were in the labour market and were caused by lost employment, absenteeism, lost productivity and premature retirement.