A new report from SANE Australia - 'Bipolar disorder: Costs' reveals the shocking economic and human cost of neglecting bipolar disorder.

Launched on 25 August 2003 the report - 'Bipolar disorder Costs - An analysis of the burden of bipolar disorder and related suicide in Australia' - was commissioned by SANE from Access Economics and reveals a heavy economic and human cost being paid for this illness.

Inadequate treatment

Misdiagnosis and under-treatment are associated with unacceptable levels of suffering and suicide, as well as increased costs to health and other services.

Shocking costs

The financial costs amount to $1.59 billion with around half being borne by people with the illness and their families. And in 2003 it is calculated that around 298 Australians with this illness will take their lives - 12% of all suicides.

The burden of bipolar disorder - the impact of this illness in terms of pain, suffering, disability and death caused - is greater than that of ovarian cancer or HIV /AIDS and similar to that of schizophrenia.

Where to from here?

This report reveals that the costs of bipolar disorder will increase over coming years unless there is urgent recognition by government of the need for proper investment in mental health services.

Download the full report or executive summary.

(You will need Acrobat reader to read this) or read the media release about the launch of this report.

SANE has also released a report revealing the cost of schizophrenia.