Study by Wright State University, Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association finds untreated mental illness costs Dayton region $30 billion annually

Untreated mental illness costs the greater Dayton region nearly $30 billion a year, according to a new study published by Wright State University, the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association and OneMorning.

The Economic Impact of Behavioral Health in the Greater Dayton Region analyzed data from 2023 across 11 counties and 1.8 million people, finding that 24.2% of the region’s residents are affected by mental illness. The economic impact affects every aspect of the region, from workforce productivity to health care costs to premature deaths.

The study was conducted by Thomas Traynor, Ph.D., professor emeritus of economics at Wright State, in coordination with Wright State, the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association and One Morning, a mental health engagement organization founded by Scott McGohan.

“The magnitude of the annual burden is not just a number; it represents lost potential for individuals, families, businesses and the community as a whole,” said Sarah Hackenbracht, president and CEO of the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association.

Other key findings include:

• Early deaths linked to mental illness have a severe impact on the quality of life of loved ones left behind, which has cost the region $15.78 billion in lost economic production.
• This includes $1.86 billion in lost wages due to premature deaths and $13.92 billion in lost quality of life.
• Health care expenditures associated with mental illness total $3.25 billion, including $2.92 billion in mental health treatment and $327.54 million in physical health costs related to mental illness.
• Non-health care costs, such as incarceration, homelessness support, diverted education resources and impacts on crime victims, add another $177.65 million annually.

The study also found that a 10% reduction in mental illness could boost the region’s economy by more than $1.27 billion a year, or roughly $931 per adult.

“What this study shows is that behavioral health is not a side issue, it is a key economic factor,” Traynor said. “Every percentage point of improvement in mental health translates into hundreds of millions of dollars in regained productivity, healthier communities and quality of life.”

The study highlights that investing in mental health saves lives, strengthens the workforce and supports economic growth and community wellbeing.

Its findings also underscore the importance of workplace mental health programs, early intervention for children and adults and prioritizing behavioral health in public spending.

“This study emphasizes the behavioral health impacts every sector of our lives, communities and economy,” said Tia Marcel Moretti, assistant director at the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. “We have an opportunity to collaborate on private-public partnerships to ensure good health and economic wellness, and this study showcases that by investing in prevention, treatment and recovery supports, we not only improve lives, but we also strengthen Ohio’s workforce and future.”

“This study validates what we see every day on our campus and across the community,” said Barbara Marsh, D.S.W., director of Counseling and Wellness Services at Wright State. “When people are supported in their mental health, they are more likely to succeed at work, in school and in life. It underscores the urgency of working together across business, health care, government and education to create a culture of care that lifts our entire region.”

The study was presented at Strong Minds, Strong Economy: A Collaborative Roundtable Discussion on Behavioral Health at Wright State on Sept. 22.

The event brought together nearly 100 regional leaders and stakeholders from business, health care, government, nonprofits and the community to develop actionable policy recommendations aimed at reducing the economic burden of mental illness.

The roundtable discussion was organized by Wright State, the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Download the Economic Impact Study of Behavioral Health in the Greater Dayton Region (PDF) and the Executive Summary document (PDF).