Financial burden of psychiatric disorders of Telangana state, India

Psychiatric disorders can be devastating, causing damage to the patient, his/her family and society. Financial aspect is the main criterion in a disease or group of diseases for decision-making, planning and prioritizing issues. The aim of the present study was to estimate the tangible cost of psychiatric disorders per annum in Telangana, India, from societal perspective. Cost estimation of various components was done under direct and indirect heads. The direct costs included were consultation, drugs, inpatients, investigations, procedures, psychologist consultation, rehabilitation and travel for treatment. The indirect costs included attendant, disability benefits, faith healing, loss of taxes on earnings, patients in conflict with the law, student training, statutory bodies, substance abuse, suicide and attempted suicide, work absence/loss of wages and productivity. Costs were also estimated based on other published works and local conditions. Of the Rs 140,963.0 crore cost, direct costs were only a small fraction (2%) while fraction indirect costs were high (98%). Cost due to wages and productivity loss accounted for 55% of the total cost. The estimated arrived at was several times more than the total health budget of the state. Thus, there is an urgent need to improve and expand mental health services to reduce the financial burden.