Allocation of public resources for psychological therapy between types of mental health condition: Towards structural balance

Abstract

This paper addresses issues of allocating public resources efficiently between mental health conditions that are associated with different levels of disability, and presents an adaptation of an established framework to help decision-making in this area. The adapted framework refers to psychological interventions that are universal, indicated, standard treatment, and continuing care. A role of early intervention for indicated disorders is promoted. The involvement of health economists in assessing cost-effectiveness of therapies and a reasonable allocation of resources across the different types of mental health disorder are encouraged.

Keywords:

• Clinical research methods
• decision-making, efficiency
• national development of psychology
• rehabilitation
• resource allocation