Free universal coverage of psychotherapy for all Quebecers would cost nearly four times less than government inaction in mental health, argues a new study.
“It would be much more profitable to set up a program like that,” said the president of the organization Force Jeunesse, Simon Telles.
On the eve of the provincial elections, he calls on the political parties to decide on this solution.
$5 billion
Supporting figures, the study by Force Jeunesse, which commissioned the actuarial firm PBI, shows that universal coverage covering up to 20 sessions of psychotherapy paid for by the State would cost approximately $5 billion per year.
However, she estimates that the real cost of inaction in mental health weighs on public finances to the tune of $18 billion. A “conservative” figure based on the study of the Mental Health Commission of Canada in 2010, says Mr. Telles.
If it offered universal coverage, Quebec would follow in the footsteps of the United Kingdom, Australia and soon France, which have such programs.
For example, the Australian and British programs would cost respectively $1.3 and $2.6 billion if Quebec were to imitate them, again according to the Force Jeunesse study.
According to him, this is the “big electric shock” that Quebec needs after more than two years of a pandemic which has exacerbated mental health problems among Quebecers and the glaring lack of resources on the ground.
Great disparity
“There is a great disparity, he underlines about access to psychotherapy services in the health network. I don’t think that as a society, we want access to mental health care to depend on our job and our private insurance. »
He recalls that, already in 2018, the National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services of Quebec (INESSS) estimated an economic impact of approximately two dollars for each dollar invested in psychotherapy.
The various investments announced by the CAQ government in recent years are no longer enough, continues Mr. Telles.
He is particularly concerned to see young people aged 18 to 34 overrepresented in indicators of poor mental health.
“It’s urgent in Quebec [la psychothérapie pour tous], but especially for men”, pleads in turn the psychiatrist and researcher Alain Lesage. The latter are less inclined to seek help and more likely to commit suicide, he argues.
” As soon as possible “
According to him, psychotherapy covered for all “as soon as possible” will also improve access for patients.
Quebecers will no longer be confined to a few psychologists in the public network, in CLSCs. As with universal drug coverage, all citizens go to the same pharmacies.
And, thanks to advances in remote teleconsultation, a Montrealer could consult a psychologist from Gaspé, he illustrates.
“It’s for the common good and because it makes sense economically and humanely,” says the Dr The wise.
The costs of free psychotherapy for all
Force Jeunesse has costed 5 scenarios for Quebec, with a cost of $120 per session currently in effect.
$1.1 billion
Comprehensive coverage only for major depression
$1.6 billion
The implementation of a program similar to the Australian Better Access model, i.e. 12 individual or group sessions per patient with diagnosed psychological disorders
$3.1 billion
The implementation of a program similar to the British model Improving Access to Psychological Therapies, i.e. 14 to 20 sessions of individual therapy or teletherapy for people with anxiety and depression disorders
$2.9 billion
Coverage of 12 annual sessions of psychotherapy care for people with psychological distress
$4.8 billion
Coverage of 20 annual sessions of psychotherapy care for people with psychological distress
Source: Youth Force