The hidden costs of depression: implications for the public and private sectors: highlights from a health care sector discussion
Mental illness, in particular depressive illness, exacts a hidden toll, not only on the individual, but also on families, friends, employers, coworkers, the community and society as a whole. Although awareness of depression has increased dramatically in recent years, its economic impact often goes unappreciated; indeed the direct and indirect costs of depression and mental illness have been estimated to be as much as $14.4 billion annually in Canada.(1)