Distinct methodologies for mental health policy evaluation in Brazil and the world: a theoretical review

Abstract

Mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and dysthymia are diseases that severely affect the world’s population and are a major cause of disability at work both in Brazil and in many other countries. It is estimated that up to 36 million people suffer from depression in Brazil and up to 350 million around the world. It is an economic, social and human issue because it causes a decrease in the well-being of individuals and the whole of society by reducing income and wealth, happiness and real opportunities for people do and be what they value. In this regard, Economics provides tools for analysis of public policy, in this case those related to mental health. Therefore, the methodological procedure employed is a theoretical review on the different methods that may be employed for mental health assessment in Brazil and worldwide. Three theoretical references were reported: the Traditional Economics, the Happiness Economics and the Capability Approach. The results show that each of these three economic approaches allows to understand the concerns related to mental illnesses from a different angle, thus enriching the possibilities of promoting public policies. However, there are still few studies on the subject of Happiness Economics and, specially, the Capability Approach. In Brazil, such studies concerning mental health are lacking regardless of the methodology used.