Grant: Operating Grant

The cost-effectiveness of psychological therapies for the treatment of many common mental disorders such as depression has been shown in many studies worldwide: there is a significant improvement in recovery and remission rates. In Canada, the Standing Senate's committee 'Out of the Shadows at Last' reports an underuse of evidence based psychological therapies as part of a complete treatment package of mental health care. A recent report of the Alberta Ministry of Health and the newly created Mental Health Commission of Canada on the treatment of depression supported psychological therapies as effective and access as a key issue to be explored in our health system. A recent Canadian study showed that income and education barriers exist for people with mental health needs when it comes to the use of specialty providers of psychotherapy such as psychologists offering evidence based treatments as part of adequate and quality mental health care treatment options. The purpose of this project is to inform policy makers by determining the costs and benefits to society of rendering psychological services available for people not already covered or have insurance for such services thus decreasing disparities in equity to access mental health services in Canada.